The remote control traffic system has faced a snag. While six traffic signals have been handed to Dhaka Metropolitan Police, DMP, they are not being implemented.
Several problems have started to appear after testing them. But city-corporation says that problems arose from rain and technical glitches and they have been solved.
Under World Bank’s Dhaka Urban Transport, 88 modern traffic signals were placed at 62 intersections at a cost of Tk. 25 crore.
They were brought under remote control but due to several problems, could not be used.
Under remote control, two things are ensured: time and light control. Based on traffic pressure, directions will be given through display which will help drivers to know the waiting time.
Prime minister’s office took the initiative to fix old signal lights and bring traffic under remote control system.
For that purpose, work also began but it did not see any success.
Already, Tk. 134 crore has been spent to buy remotes. DMP joint commissioner traffic, south, Md. Mofiz Uddin Ahmed, said: “we are using the signals on a test basis but due to problems, five are inoperative of the six.”
We will inform the city corporation within two days, he added.
Transport specialist and BUET professor, Dr. Moazzem Hossain said: “to control traffic through remote is an isolated move; people have to be appointed and given skill training.”