A high-level government panel led by the principal secretary to the prime minister has visited several spots in Dhaka city on Saturday in an effort to find out problems with public transport system and traffic management.
The team led by Secretary Md Nojibur Rahman started from the city’s northern end of Abdullahpur at 10:30am and finished at the Dhaka South City Corporation offices in Gulistan via Uttara, Airport, Bijoy Sarani, Farmgate, Kawran Bazar, Bangla Motor and Sahbagh.
The panel comprised of PMO’s Chief Coordinator (SDGs) Md Abul Kalam Azad, Local Government Secretary Zafar Ahmed Khan, Secretary to PMO Sajjadul Hasan, PMO Director General Md Khalilur Rahman, PMO Director General -1 (Governance Innovation Unit) Mohammad Salah Uddin, Inspector General of Police Javed Patwary, DMP Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia and chief executive officers of Dhaka North and South city corporations.
During its visit on Saturday, the panel visited all the underpasses and foot over-bridges along the route as well identified flaws in road and traffic management.
On Thursday, Principal Secretary to PM Md Nojibur Rahman had a meeting over the issue will all concerned government agencies, when a set of directives were issued.
The PMO’s GIU unit asked authorities to take up measures, including keeping doors of the running buses closed and ensuring that buses do not make unscheduled stops.
The directives also included showing names of driver and helper with pictures, driving license and mobile numbers at two noticeable places at vehicles by August 20 next, keeping up all activities of Traffic Week until next directive and introducing remote-controlled automatic electric signaling system in Dhaka city.
The decisions also include making mandatory the wearing of helmets by the motorcycle riders and riding highest two persons on a motorbike as well as compelling them to abide by all traffic rules including signals.
Directives were also given to fasten seat belts by the drivers of passenger vehicles, especially long-distance buses, side by side with making arrangements for introducing seat belts in the vehicles for the passengers. Legal steps will be taken against those who will breach the law
The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Dhaka North and South city corporations, Dhaka district administration, ministries of public administration education and information as well as the armed forces division have been told to implement the measures.