PM directs ETC launch within 4 months

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has taken multiple decisions to resolve the long-standing traffic jam in the capital, use modern technology in the traffic system and restore discipline in the public transport sector. He has also set specific deadlines for the concerned ministries and agencies for the rapid implementation of these decisions.

He gave these directives at a meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon on Saturday (August 29). Discussions were held at the meeting on the pressure of vehicles on various roads, flyovers and important intersections of Dhaka, management of public transport, bus terminals, parking facilities and modernization of the traffic control system. As part of this the decision has been taken to launch electronic toll collection or ETC at the toll plazas of expressways and flyovers. An initiative will also be taken to create an app to make this system easy. The Prime Minister has directed to complete the entire process within the next four months.

The decision has been taken to review the previous survey and recommendations of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and prepare a new plan to reduce the traffic jam around the Jatrabari-Gulistan flyover. BUET has been asked to submit a new report on this within the next 15 days. Necessary steps will be taken later in coordination with the city corporation and traffic police.

The decision has also been taken to bring changes in the bus terminal management of the capital. An initiative will be taken to shift the Fulbaria bus terminal to Keraniganj. As time is needed for the construction of a permanent terminal, a plan has been taken to build a temporary terminal on 15 acres of land of the Jhilmil project within four months for the time being. For this the Local Government Ministry will arrange the acquisition of necessary land. Alongside the decision has been taken to increase its capacity by expanding the back part of the Gabtoli bus terminal.

Several more decisions have been taken at the meeting on traffic jam and city management. An initiative will be taken to shift the kitchen market of Karwan Bazar to Gabtoli. Whether it is possible to create parking facilities at Osmani Smriti Auditorium to reduce the pressure of parking cars in the Secretariat area will be examined. Alternative parking places have also been asked to be determined if needed. Directives have also been given to formulate a separate policy for controlling the movement of autorickshaws and take action against unauthorized double-decker sleeper buses.

At the meeting the Prime Minister emphasized effective coordination among the concerned agencies. Directives were given to implement every decision within the fixed time and regularly review the progress.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam, State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam, Member of Parliament Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, Administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation Abdus Salam, Cabinet Secretary, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister and senior officials of various concerned departments were present at the meeting.