Sayedabad-Gulistan, Mohakhali bus terminals are going outside Dhaka

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has ordered the removal of Sayedabad, Gulistan and Mohakhali bus terminals in the capital. He said this initiative is to restore order on the roads and solve the long-standing traffic congestion problem.

This information was given to journalists by communication expert Dr. Md. Hadiuzzaman and two administrators of Dhaka City Corporation after a meeting with the Prime Minister at the Public Administration Meeting Room of the Cabinet Division of the Secretariat after the third round of the meeting on traffic congestion and traffic management modernization on Monday (June 15).

The meeting, chaired by the Prime Minister, discussed in detail the traffic congestion situation in various regions of the country including the capital, traffic management and reforms in the urban transport system.

It was mentioned at the time that Sayedabad, Gulistan and Mohakhali bus terminals, located at important entrances and commercial areas of the capital, have long been identified as one of the main causes of internal traffic congestion in Dhaka. To overcome this crisis, the Prime Minister ordered to take necessary initiatives to gradually move these terminals from the city to outside Dhaka or to suitable peripheral locations.

Communication expert Dr. Md. Hadiuzzaman told reporters that discussions were held on providing alternative employment to hawkers and making the sidewalks suitable for public movement to resolve traffic congestion.

He said that there has been a huge investment in the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project for a long time and the people have suffered. If it is now declared abandoned, it will be a negative example. Therefore, the Prime Minister discussed with experts how the project can be developed and used as a public transport corridor and maximum benefits for the people can be ensured. He also said that an alternative proposal will be presented within the next seven days.

Dr. Hadiuzzaman also said that a temporary place has been allocated in Purbachal for the depot of the buses of the Mohakhali Terminal to reduce the traffic congestion centered on the terminals in Dhaka city. The buses will come to the terminal only when picking up passengers.

Similarly, temporary alternative locations have been identified for Sayedabad and Fulbaria bus terminals. Work is also underway on a permanent solution. Traffic signals will be introduced in Shahbagh area next week, he said.

Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Bir Muktijoddha Md. Abdus Salam said that the Prime Minister has directed to bring Sayedabad bus terminal under control. In addition, instructions have been given to implement the inter-district bus terminal in Kanchpur quickly.

He said that initiatives will be taken to move the terminal from Gulistan. The Prime Minister has instructed how to bring it under orderly management without evicting the hawkers and leaving it in a chaotic state.

Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Md. Safiqul Islam Khan said that it has been decided to initially set up a bus depot in Purbachal so that buses do not stand on the roads in the Mohakhali area. The City Corporation will provide necessary assistance in this regard.

The government has taken short, medium and long-term plans to resolve traffic congestion in the capital. As part of this, initiatives have been taken to move bus terminals from Mohakhali, Sayedabad and Gulistan. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam and senior officials of the concerned ministries and organizations were also present at the meeting.