Measures also include new autorickshaw rules and parking facilities.
Highlights:
- Fulbaria terminal to move to Keraniganj
- Karwan Bazar market to shift to Gabtoli
- Temporary terminal to be built within four months
- ETC system and toll app to launch
- New policy to regulate autorickshaw movement
The government has taken a series of measures to ease long-standing traffic congestion in Dhaka, including introducing an Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system and relocating the Fulbaria bus terminal to Keraniganj and the Karwan Bazar kitchen market to Gabtoli.
The decisions were taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at his office in Tejgaon today (29 August), according to prime minister’s press wing. Relevant agencies were directed to work in coordination and implement the measures within the stipulated deadlines.
ETC system, toll app
The government has decided to introduce an Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system at toll plazas on expressways and flyovers to reduce long queues of vehicles.
The prime minister also directed the development of a mobile app to make toll collection faster and more technology-driven. All related work is to be completed within four months.
Fulbaria terminal to move to Keraniganj
The Fulbaria bus terminal will be relocated to Keraniganj to reduce pressure from inter-district buses on Dhaka’s internal roads.
The permanent project will be implemented after acquiring the necessary land through the Ministry of Local Government.
File Photo: TBS
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File Photo: TBS
As construction of a permanent terminal will take time, the meeting directed the construction of a temporary bus terminal on 15 acres of land in the Jhilmil project in Keraniganj within four months.
The rear section of the Gabtoli bus terminal will also be expanded to increase its capacity.
Karwan Bazar market to shift to Gabtoli
The authorities have been directed to begin the process of relocating the kitchen market in Karwan Bazar to Gabtoli to reduce traffic congestion in the heart of the capital.
Photo: TBS
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Photo: TBS
The meeting also decided to examine the possibility of arranging alternative parking facilities at Osmani Memorial Auditorium to ease congestion around the secretariat.
Jatrabari flyover, autorickshaw policy
To address long-standing congestion at the Jatrabari-Gulistan flyover, the government has ordered a review of a report previously prepared by Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).
BUET has been instructed to submit recommendations within 15 days. The measures will be implemented jointly by the city corporation and traffic police.
Auto-rickshaw policy and sleeper buses
The prime minister also directed the authorities to formulate a separate policy to regulate autorickshaw movement in the capital.
He further ordered strict action against unauthorised ‘double-decker sleeper buses’ operating on long-distance routes.
The meeting stressed stronger coordination among government agencies and timely implementation of the decisions to reduce traffic congestion in Dhaka.
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