Published: 11:42 PM, 01 October 2026
Joint initiative brings relief to Mohakhali commuters
A joint initiative involving traffic police and transport-sector stakeholders has shelped ease long-standing traffic congestion and restore discipline in and around Mohakhali, one of the capital's busiest transport hubs.
Although the special operation was formally launched on July 15, preparatory work and the implementation of long-term measures had begun nearly a month earlier.
Preparations and Action Plan
A series of meetings and field-level preparations were undertaken to address traffic disorder around the Mohakhali Inter-district Bus Terminal. An action plan was formulated after identifying the major causes of persistent traffic congestion and passenger suffering. The plan
was developed through discussions among bus owners, transport workers' representatives and traffic police. The directives were subsequently communicated to commuters and other stakeholders through awareness campaigns and banners displayed at the terminal and nearby locations.
Key Directives
The banners outline nine directives aimed at reducing congestion and maintaining discipline in the area. The authorities have taken a strict stance on their implementation.
U-turn and route control: Buses operating from the Mohakhali Inter-district Bus Terminal must make U-turns at designated points when heading towards the 300-foot (Purbachal) depot. Buses departing from the terminal are also prohibited from using the southern (Navana) route.
No roadside parking or haphazard boarding: Roadside parking and the picking up or dropping off of passengers at unauthorised locations are strictly prohibited.
Ticketing inside the terminal: Passengers have been urged to purchase tickets from designated counters inside the terminal instead of boarding buses from the street.
Time-bound terminal access: Only buses scheduled to depart within a four-hour window are allowed to enter the terminal.
Worker amenities: Arrangements have been made in the 300-foot (Purbachal) area for bus parking, workers' rest areas and safety.
Extortion- and drug-free terminal: All stakeholders have been urged to cooperate in keeping the Mohakhali Inter-district Bus Terminal free from extortion and drugs and preventing passenger harassment.
Joint Press Conference
As part of the initiative, a joint press conference was held at 9am on October 1 in front of the Newton Police Box at the Mohakhali Bus Stand.
The press conference was attended by DC Zubayer of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (North), Md Humayun Kabir Khan, general secretary of the Dhaka Road Transport Owners' Association and the Bangladesh Road Transport Workers' Federation, as well as other police officials, transport leaders and a large number of workers.
At the press conference, the participants expressed their collective commitment to working together to reduce traffic congestion in the area.
DC Zubayer said, "Traffic congestion centred around the Mohakhali Bus Terminal has been a long-standing problem, causing regular suffering for the general public. To address this, a high-level decision has been taken to make Mohakhali congestion-free."
He said a modern depot had been established in the 300-foot area under the plan, where buses would wait for a designated period before providing passenger services.
As a result, he said, traffic congestion in the Mohakhali area had eased significantly, allowing vehicles to reach their destinations more smoothly.
General passengers have also welcomed the initiative, saying the measures have brought relief to commuters.
Md Humayun Kabir Khan, general secretary of the Bangladesh Road Transport Workers' Federation, said, "The Mohakhali Terminal is a crucial transport hub located in the heart of Dhaka city. Since the current government assumed office, transport owners and workers have taken the responsibility of working hand in hand with the traffic authorities in line with high-level directives."
He said the tireless efforts of traffic police had helped restore order at the terminal and on surrounding roads.
He added that cooperation among traffic police, transport owners and workers would continue to ensure that the situation remained orderly.
Following the press conference, traffic police and leaders of the transport owners' and workers' associations took positions at various points along the roads to monitor traffic movement and manage congestion directly.
The stakeholders expressed optimism that continued cooperation, strict enforcement of the guidelines and public awareness would help address the long-standing traffic problems in Mohakhali and make commuting more convenient for city residents.
>>Alimuzzaman AA
