Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed has said extensive security and traffic management measures have been put in place to ensure the safe and smooth movement of homebound passengers ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
The DMP Commissioner made the remarks on Monday around 11:30am after inspecting the Gabtoli Bus Terminal and the Gabtoli cattle market in the capital.
He said special metropolitan magistrates and BRTA vigilance teams are taking immediate action against transport operators whenever allegations of overcharging are received.
Mosleh Ahmed said special emphasis has been given to maintaining security in Dhaka during the Eid period, covering cattle markets, bus terminals, banks, Eid congregations, and the nearly empty capital during the holiday.
He said a foolproof security network has been established around every cattle market designated by the two Dhaka city corporations. Each market has a visible police presence along with a sub-control room and watchtower. With support from Bangladesh Bank, counterfeit currency detection machines have also been installed at every cattle market.
He further said special teams of detectives and plainclothes police are working round the clock to prevent crimes such as counterfeit note circulation, mugging by “dope gangs,” and other organized theft groups. Money escort services have also been introduced to ensure the safe transport of large amounts of cash.
Regular patrols, mobile teams, foot patrols, and checkpoints remain active. CCTV cameras have been installed at cattle markets to continuously monitor law and order. Additional checkpoints have also been set up at key entry and exit points of the capital, including Gabtoli, Uttara, and Jatrabari.
He added that measures have been taken to monitor cattle-laden vehicles to ensure animals are unloaded only at designated markets. Security has been strengthened at collection counters (hassil counters), while digital payment systems, including mobile banking, have been facilitated for traders.
The DMP Commissioner said millions of people are leaving Dhaka ahead of Eid, and a special traffic management plan has been implemented to ensure safe and congestion-free travel for this huge number of passengers.
Separate control rooms and watchtowers have been set up at bus, launch, and railway terminals. Adequate police deployment has been ensured at Sayedabad, Mohakhali, Gabtoli bus terminals, Sadarghat launch terminal, and Kamalapur Railway Station to prevent passenger harassment, overcharging, and overloading.
He said DMP’s Special Metropolitan Magistrates are conducting mobile courts to prevent passenger harassment, overcharging, and carrying passengers beyond vehicle capacity. Coordination with highway police is also continuing to keep Dhaka’s entry and exit points free from traffic congestion.
He further said immediate action is being taken against unfit vehicles and vehicles parked indiscriminately on highways. To avoid traffic congestion caused by cattle markets, no animals will be allowed outside market boundaries, on roads or on footpaths.
Plainclothes police have been deployed at terminals to prevent snatching, counterfeit currency circulation, and criminal gangs. Police patrols and foot patrol systems are active at every terminal. Surveillance is also continuing to prevent passenger harassment, ticket black marketing, mugging, and extortion.
Additional checkpoints and extra police forces have been deployed to ensure smooth movement of passenger and cattle-carrying vehicles, he said, adding that DMP members are working round the clock to ensure safe travel for Eid holidaymakers and security at cattle markets.
Responding to questions on overcharging, he said mobile courts and vigilance teams from the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) are actively working at all terminals. “Action is taken immediately whenever complaints are received, and steps are also taken as soon as such incidents come to our notice,” he added.