The government has taken a series of decisions to ease traffic congestion in Dhaka, modernise the city’s traffic management system and bring greater discipline to the transport sector.

The decisions include relocating the Karwan Bazar kitchen market to Gabtoli and shifting the Fulbaria bus terminal to Keraniganj.

The decisions were made at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at his Tejgaon office on Saturday (August 29), according to the Prime Minister’s Press Wing.

The meeting decided to introduce Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) systems at toll plazas on expressways and flyovers. An app will also be developed to support the system, with the prime minister directing the authorities to complete the work within four months.

The meeting also discussed persistent congestion around the Jatrabari-Gulistan flyover. Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) was instructed to review its existing report and submit recommendations within 15 days on measures to address the congestion.

The government also decided to relocate the Fulbaria bus terminal to Keraniganj. Land will be acquired through the Ministry of Local Government for the project. As construction of a permanent terminal will take time, a temporary terminal will be built within four months on 15 acres of land at the Jhilmil project.

The meeting further decided to expand the rear section of the Gabtoli bus terminal to increase capacity and improve vehicle management.

To ease congestion in central Dhaka, the government also plans to relocate the Karwan Bazar kitchen market to Gabtoli.

Parking facilities around the Secretariat were also discussed. Authorities will examine the feasibility of establishing parking facilities at Osmani Memorial Auditorium and explore alternative parking locations where necessary.

A separate policy will be formulated to regulate and streamline the operation of CNG- and battery-powered autorickshaws in Dhaka.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman also ordered authorities to take necessary action against the operation of unauthorised double-decker sleeper buses.

The prime minister stressed stronger coordination among relevant agencies and urged officials to complete the assigned initiatives within the stipulated deadlines to reduce traffic congestion in the capital.