Traffic management to come under signal light system -The Asian Age
Dhaka is set to reintroduce light controlled traffic management at intersections. Though the initiative came to light nearly a decade ago, it could not bring visible progress with the notorious traffic of the capital. Now, authorities plan to reintroduce it while the control will be in police's hand. They will be able to manage the light duration by remote controls devices according to the vehicular pressure. The previous version of the system was totally automated.
Transport experts are putting their high hopes on it as usual saying all the intersections of the metropolis should be brought under the system if it brings test run proves success. In the primary stage, the remote controlling signal system will be initiated at six intersections. Dhaka South has already sent a letter to the Traffic Division at Dhaka Metropolitan Police in the regard.
Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) officials wishing anonymity said Shahbag, Curzon Hall, Kakrail Mosque, Matsya Bhaban, Kadam Foara and Hotel Intercontinental intersections will come under the system. So far, 134 remotes have already been purchased from abroad. Each intersection needs two of those devices. Sirajul Islam, chief city planner of the DSCC, told the press that they have sent a letter to the DMP additional commissioner (traffic) on November 4 to take the duty of handling the remotes.
"We will give the duty to traffic police whenever they receive," he said. Mafizuddin Ahmed, DMP joint commissioner (traffic), said the duty will be received soon after testing. He hopes that the remote control signal system will bring a positive result. It will help cover all intersections. Earlier, the authorities concerned decided to hand over the automatic electronic signal management to traffic police on September 15.
As the entire matter was under a project, it has taken much time to import equipment for the system. The project was initiated in the 2001-2002 fiscal year to set up signal lights at 88 city intersections to maintain traffic. It was completed in 2008. When, it was begun, the whole traffic management broke down as there was no similarity between fixed time and transports. That's why signal lights cannot bring anything good. Later, the project was financed for the second time in 2010 and ended in June 2014. But, this time the project could not bring good results. For the third time, the project was extended until December 15.