Watch towers, IP cameras at key highway points planned

The police have decided to put in their best efforts this time to rid the homebound people and cattle-laden trucks of the trouble of being stuck up in traffic gridlock on highways during the upcoming Eid celebration.
Officials of the Highway Police say they have made special arrangements, including installation of watch towers and IP (internet protocol) cameras at key points, to make the traffic movement through the country's highway smooth round the clock ahead of Eid-ul-Azha that sees huge traffic rush.
They have identified the vulnerable points on outbound routes from the capital where transports carrying homebound Eid-holidaymakers get caught in the snarl every year.
For lessening perennial public sufferings of this sort on highways, the special police department has identified more than 50 points or intersections which often cause such road blockades. Accordingly, combined efforts have been planned to ensure smooth movement of rush-time traffic.
Senior officials at the force, however, pinpointed possible rainfall, dilapidated condition of roads, unfit vehicles and roadside makeshift markets as the major challenges to ensuring safe and timely journey of the holidaymakers.
Authorities of the department also divided the special force into four zones - Comilla, Gazipur, Bogra and Madaripur in place of two to bring further dynamism in dealing with such traffic rush on occasions like Eid.
When contacted, Deputy Inspector-General (Highway Police) Asaduzzaman Miah said they have made special arrangements on the country's major highways that take the traffic load. These are: Dhaka-Chittagong, Dhaka-Sylhet, Dhaka-Mymensingh, Dhaka-Tangail and Dhaka-Faridpur routes.
"Serious attention will be paid to intersections like Chandra, Kanchpur, Moghrapara, Daudkandi, Mawna, Aminbazar, Savar, Nabinagar, Goalundo, Chandana Chowrasta and Bhulta to avert traffic congestion. We've also suspended leave of our officials for the sake of strong monitoring," he said.
He said additional measures will also be taken at ferry ghats (stations) and toll plazas at the country's key bridges for smooth movement of passenger buses.
According to the traffic arrangements, several dozens patrol and mobile teams will be in operation to prevent rash driving and force the drivers to follow the designated lanes.
Besides, around 15 wreckers will also be positioned at various strategic points to shift vehicles becoming out of order on the highways.
Talking to the FE, Superintendent of Police (Gazipur) of the Department Shafiqul Islam said watch towers have already been installed at Nabinagar, Chandona Chowrasta and Chandra from where designated officials will monitor movements of traffic through binoculars.
"We were also given dedicated SIM cards from a private telecom operator that will help us show visible traffic scenario at the intersections of my zone from the place I stay," he informed.
"If rainfall starts during the peak period, it will be very difficult to deal with the traffic jam on highways like Dhaka- Mymensingh and Ashulia-Baipail part of Dhaka-Tangail Highways," he added.   
Superintendent of Police (Comilla) Rezaul Karim said they would also develop community policing at many locations to free the roads from illegal occupation. Such encroachment of roads is one of the main reasons for severe traffic congestion.
They also requested the ministry and department concerned to take tougher stance against unfit vehicles. "We're ready to reach the holidaymakers to their respective destinations in time by proper use of the limited resources."
"We'll not allow anyone to set up cattle market beside highways for the smooth movement of the traffic," he added.
SP (Madaripur) of the police force Md. Shajid Hossain said zero tolerance will be shown to any move by extortionists on the highways and special arrangements will also be taken on Dauladia and Kawrakandi ferry ghats.  
Experts and transport owners hailed the move with a request to the authorities concerned for paying serious attention to the entry and exit points to the capital where vehicles have been witnessing severe gridlock.  
"It becomes very tough to leave and enter the city because of gridlock in Jatrabari, Abdullahpur and Gabtoli areas," General Secretary of Bangladesh Sarak Paribahan Malik Samity Khandaker Enayetullah said.
He said dilapidated conditions of the highways because of ongoing construction work and poor maintenance activities could be a cause of serious pain to the passengers.

jubairfe1980@gmail.com