The traffic division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has taken strict measures against business on the roads, as it will not allow traders to engage in business activities on the road during the holy month of Ramadan in the city.
Addressing a press conference on “traffic management and guidance in the holy month of Ramadan” at DMP Media Centre on Thursday, Additional Police Commissioner (Traffic Division) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Md Munibur Rahman said most of the vehicles try to go to their destinations in a hurry, but it creates unnecessary traffic congestion at various important intersections.
After observing Ramadan’s first ten days of traffic congestion before Iftar, DMP has identified the problems and issued some directives to address the congestion.
According to DMP, government offices in the capital close at 3:30pm during Ramadan, leading to severe traffic congestion on the city's streets from office closure until Iftar. The increased traffic volume causes unintended traffic jams at various key points in the city as many vehicles head to their destinations at the same time.
“In the existing reality of the metropolis, if a signal is activated for a one-lane vehicle at a three-lane intersection, the other lanes have to be temporarily closed, so traffic division faces over-vehicle pressure,” he mentioned.
Therefore, the traffic division has issued several calls and instructions to the city dwellers returning home around 3:30pm or around this time.
The additional commissioner highlighted various steps taken during the first 10 days of Ramadan to maintain traffic management smoothly.
He said: “Vehicles are parked along various important routes, reducing the road's width and obstructing traffic flow. The public has been urged not to park vehicles unexpectedly by the roadside.”
Passengers stand for a long time at different turning points on important roads instead of designated bus stops, disrupting traffic flow. Passengers are requested to wait at designated stops,” he added.
The additional commissioner also said: “Vehicles from various units adjacent to the DMP area enter the DMP area unnecessarily, causing traffic jams. Heavy vehicles have a specific time frame to enter the area, but often they try to move outside these hours, creating traffic congestion. DMP traffic members have been strictly instructed not to allow heavy vehicles in the area outside the specific time.
Road repair works are done on small and large roads in Dhaka city at different times. Considering public suffering, the concerned authorities have been urged to make these roads suitable for traffic during Ramadan. Letters have also been circulated in this regard,” he added.
The DMP officer said: “There are many commercial establishments beside various important roads/highways, which are numerous. But with the median broken in the middle of the road, many customers cross the road at risk, severely disrupting the flow and speed of vehicles.”
Efforts continue to prevent businessmen from conducting commercial activities on the roads surrounding Ramadan.
When asked why action is not taken against buses stopping anywhere, Md Munibur Rahman said: “We regularly talk to bus owners and drivers about this. Not only during Ramadan, but we always talk to stakeholders based on terminals and divisions. Clearing vehicles stuck at signals during peak hours becomes a challenge. That is why traffic members are more active during these times. At such times, public transport often goes out of discipline. But we try to take action whenever these issues come to our notice.”
When asked about public transport competing on the roads, he said: “Especially during Ramadan, instructions have been given to traffic members to maintain discipline on the roads. Actions are being taken against any irregularities, including unauthorized parking or leaving construction materials on the roads.”
In response to a question about increased traffic congestion in the area after the launch of the FDC ramp of the Elevated Expressway, he said: “The ramp was launched yesterday (Wednesday). I personally observed the vehicle movement yesterday. We have priority zones for releasing vehicles, considering the best time and direction for vehicle release. Since it's newly launched, we must manage it over time through observation. Initially, there was pressure in the Farmgate area, which we overcame. Based on our experience, we hope to efficiently manage traffic in this area, like other ramp areas.”
