What exactly are they talking about?Are they talking about building an overpass,u-turn loop,and under-pass at every traffic signal from Azimpur to Gabtoli?:nuts:

Bujlam na bhai... :S

Elevated Expressway/Kuril Flyover visible progress in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjMzN4prdFo

‘4,000 new AC buses, taxicabs for capital soon’

Communications and Railways Minister Obaidul Quader on Sunday said 4,000 air-conditioned vehicles including 2,000 buses would be imported for the capital city, reports BSS.
“The government would approve the import of 2000 good- looking AC (air-conditioned) buses and 2000 AC taxicabs for Dhaka city soon,” he told newsmen after a meeting on ‘Ensuring Fitness and Good-looking Vehicles for Dhaka City’ at Rail Bhaban.
The minister called upon all transport owners to ensure fitness and good-looking of the buses and other motor vehicles within three months.
He simultaneously urged all banks to come forward with financial assistances like loan facilities for the transport owners so that they could be able to make their vehicles good- looking and attractive.
“We have a plan to set up two bus parking areas at Fulbaria and Mirpur in the capital,” Quader added.
Replying to a query, the communications minister said Malaysia is expected to give a formal proposal with regard to the construction of Padma Bridge tomorrow.
State Minister for Home Affairs Advocate Shamsul Islam Tuku, Secretary of Roads and Highways M A N Siddique, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) Chairman Ayubur Rhaman Khan, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Benzir Ahmed, Executive Director of Bangladesh Bank SM Moniruzzman and Secretary General of Bangladesh Sarak Paribahan Samity Khandaker Enayetullah, among others, were present in the meeting.

Source: News Today

Govt to procure 88 AC buses


DHAKA MAY 28: The government on Monday decided to procure 88 air-conditioned buses from India to ease transport crisis in the city.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the cabinet committee on purchase, held at the Bangladesh Secretariat with Finance Minister AMA Muhith in the chair. Ashok Leyland Limited, an Indian automobile manufacturing company, would supply the buses at a cost of US$60,98,580.
The buses would be bought under the Indian credit.
Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) would conduct operation of the buses after their procurement.

Source: The Independent

Govt mulls city traffic authority sans police

Shakhawat Hossain

The government is weighing the idea of establishing a city traffic authority to relieve the police of the responsibility for traffic management, officials said.
A meeting on the city’s traffic management chaired by finance minister AMA Muhith early this month discussed establishment of the proposed city traffic authority.
Communications minister Obaidul Quader and senior officials of the ministry attended the meeting.
They observed that the existing city traffic management run mainly by the police had ‘failed completely’ to control the growing number of vehicles hitting the city streets.
A separate authority comprising traffic engineers, transport experts and dedicated workforce, excluding the police, should be set up, they pointed out.
The communications minister did not want to disclose the details. He told New Age on Saturday that he would hold an emergency meeting on the city’s traffic management today, a weekly holiday.
‘It is not certain whether establishment of a separate traffic authority would come up for discussion,’ he said.
Experts said strong political will was needed to exclude the police from the existing traffic management.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police maintains liaison with the ministry of communications, Dhaka City Corporation, Bangladesh Road
Transport Authority and other authorities concerned in carrying out the responsibility.
Akbar Ali Khan, a former caretaker government adviser, said it was difficult to find a traffic authority anywhere in the world having no links with police.
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology teacher Sarwan Jahan said a separate authority could be established to manage the traffic.
But you need police or a force like the police to enforce the laws,’ he said, adding that the government should establish a city authority for better management of traffic.
Dhaka, a sprawling metropolis, has become notorious for its chaotic
traffic which the authorities, including the police, were struggling to streamline.
Encroachment of footpath and roads, illegal parking, growing number of vehicles compared with static road space and a poor public transport are the main reasons for the city’s traffic congestions.

Source: New Age

Gulistan-Jatrabari Flyover Current Progress:

http://www.demotix.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/large_610x456_scaled/photos/1256984.jpg

http://www.demotix.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/large_610x456_scaled/photos/1256991.jpg

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http://www.demotix.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/large_610x456_scaled/photos/1256974.jpg

http://www.demotix.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/large_610x456_scaled/photos/1257012.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSpDlOY_un0\
Video depicting many of the roads and road projects

Construct ring roads around city to ease traffic jam: JS body

A parliamentary body has recommended constructing ring roads around Dhaka and widening roads for easing the city's chronic traffic congestion, reports UNB.

The parliamentary standing committee on Planning Ministry at its 43rd meeting at Sangsad Bhaban Wednesday suggested constructing helpful flyovers for reducing traffic jam and checking misuse of spaces.

The meeting stressed the need for repairing old roads for making those fit for vehicular movement instead of building new ones.

It also suggested taking housing projects in different areas outside Dhaka to reduce pressure of mounting population on Dhaka city.

It called for conducting research on whether construction of satellite town near Dhaka city will be helpful for reduction of population pressure on the city.

The meeting also recommended taking necessary steps for creating facilities so that people living near Dhaka city and small towns can travel to Dhaka within a short time.

Chaired by committee chairman HN Ashikur Rahman, the meeting was attended by its members Planning Minister AK Khandaker, Nawab Ali Abbas Khan, Hamida Banu Shova, Reza Ali, Mohammad Nazrul Islam and Enamul Haque.

Source: Financial Express

'Gulistan-Jatrabari flyover to open Mar 26

The multi-billion-taka Mayor Mohammad Hanif flyover (Gulistan-Jatrabari flyover) will be inaugurated on the Independence Day on March 26 next year, reports UNB.
About 80 percent of the construction work has been completed and it will take another nine months to complete the rest.
The disclosure came at a meeting held on Wednesday at the auditorium of Local Government Division to review the progress of the construction work of the eight-kilometer-long flyover, with State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD,C) Jahangir Kabir Nanak in the chair.
Briefing the journalists after the review meeting Local Government Division Secretary Abu Alam Md Shahid Khan said all leave and vacations including that of Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha for the workers and employees involved with the construction of the flyover will be cancelled to expedite the construction work so that it will be ready for inauguration on Mar 26. The flyover will be opened to traffic immediately after its inauguration, he informed.
Earlier, State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Jahangir Kabir Nanak, addressing journalists at a press conference in capital about two months ago had said that Mayor Mohammad Hanif Flyover would be inaugurated on Victory Day on December 16.
Once built, the flyover will connect Kutubkhali in South Jatrabari and Demra to Chankharpool in Dhaka Medical College Hospital area up to Palashi and Azimpur. Considering the importance of the eight-kilometer route, one of the busiest routes in Dhaka city, the government gave top priority to the construction of the longest flyover in the capital after it took over offices on January 7, 2009 and attaches importance to completing the project on the scheduled time, the secretary said.
Replying to a question he said the date of inauguration has been put back by about three-and-half-month due to various reasons. The construction was delayed to facilitate relocating gas, water and power supply lines from the construction area to other areas to ensure uninterrupted supply of gas, water and electricity to the city dwellers, he informed.
He said that no anomalies, negligence or irregularities by those involved with construction of the flyover will be tolerated.

Source: Daily Star

Construct ring roads around city to ease traffic jam: JS body

A parliamentary body has recommended constructing ring roads around Dhaka and widening roads for easing the city's chronic traffic congestion, reports UNB.

The parliamentary standing committee on Planning Ministry at its 43rd meeting at Sangsad Bhaban Wednesday suggested constructing helpful flyovers for reducing traffic jam and checking misuse of spaces.

The meeting stressed the need for repairing old roads for making those fit for vehicular movement instead of building new ones.

It also suggested taking housing projects in different areas outside Dhaka to reduce pressure of mounting population on Dhaka city.

It called for conducting research on whether construction of satellite town near Dhaka city will be helpful for reduction of population pressure on the city.

The meeting also recommended taking necessary steps for creating facilities so that people living near Dhaka city and small towns can travel to Dhaka within a short time.

Chaired by committee chairman HN Ashikur Rahman, the meeting was attended by its members Planning Minister AK Khandaker, Nawab Ali Abbas Khan, Hamida Banu Shova, Reza Ali, Mohammad Nazrul Islam and Enamul Haque.

Source: Financial Express
Ring roads! Exactly what we need! They work BRILLIANTLY in the city I'm currently in! But the problem in Bangladesh is that due to the lack of space, highways (a ring road is one) aren't really highways...not when they have shops at both sides and so many connecting roads an no service roads...

bangladesh must need a highway around the dhaka city without that their will never be possible to stop this hammer traffic ,

http://www.theindependentdigital.com/contents/2012/2012_06_20/content_zoom/2012_06_20_3_3_b.jpg

BRTC to launch e-ticket on Mirpur-Motijheel route from Sunday

Munima Sultana

Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) is going to introduce its second phase of online bus tickets for the passengers of Mipur-Motijheel route from Sunday next after its success in launching this modern system on Abdullahpur-Motijheel route.

Officials said 10,000 BRTC smart cards will be released for the passengers of 20 double decker buses now running between Mirpur and Motijheel.

BRTC has released 5000 e-tickets for the passengers of air-conditioned buses on Abdullahpur-Motijheel route since the service was launched in February.

"Of the total smart cards, on an average 2700 to 2800 are in use everyday," said an official.

BRTC introduced the smart cash payment card or S Pass with the assistance of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to replace traditional payment system aiming at lessening regular hassles of commuters in buying tickets and waiting in queue.

The officials said following the success in the first phase, the BRTC has decided to release additional 10,000 S Pass on the same route.

At present commuters buy the e-card having a balance of at least Tk 45 from BRTC booths.

Though the new ticket system was scheduled to be introduced on one more route from Mohammadpur to Gulshan in the third phase as part of the pilot project, it could not be done immediately due to transfer of BRTC bus service of the route on lease to private sector.

As part of the pilot project, the officials said an evaluation report would be sent to the communications ministry to introduce the easy ticket paying and checking system in all bus services in the country.

The JICA team working for the BRTC, said the card which is from IC card technology developed by Sony, will be used for other services in future.

Source: Financial Express

Jatrabari Flyover Construction:

http://www.thedailystar.net/magazine/2012/06/04/cs01.jpg

http://www.thedailystar.net/magazine/2012/06/04/cs05.jpg

http://www.thedailystar.net/magazine/2012/06/04/cs09.jpg

Other Dhaka flyover constructions:

http://www.thedailystar.net/magazine/2012/06/04/cs03.jpg

http://www.thedailystar.net/magazine/2012/06/04/cs07.jpg

Source: Daily Star

^^
Thanks for the pics bro. The flyovers are progressing fast.

Dhaka-Munshiganj road to be upgraded into 4 lanes

Communications Minister Obaidul Quader on Friday said that Dhaka-Munshiganj road will be upgraded into four lanes in the future.

He was talking to journalists after visiting the road in the district.

During his visit, the minister expressed his satisfaction over the completion of repair work of the road at Panchabati-Mukterpur.

The repair work on eight kms of the road was carried out under the supervision by Bangladesh Army at a cost of Tk 17.50 crore.

Quader said that many good initiatives were foiled due to complex process of timely release of fund.

Sufferings of people will not be relieved if such process is not removed, he said, seeking interference of Prime Minister in this regard.

During his visit to Mukterpur, the minister witnessed plying of different human haulers such as easy bike and nasiman.

He expressed his dissatisfaction over the matter as plying of such vehicles creates traffic jam as well as increase the risk to accident.

He directed the local administration to keep their close watch on plying of the illegal vehicles.

News Source:
UNB

http://www.daily-sun.com/epaper/index.php?archiev=yes&arch_date=04-07-2012

Kuril flyover progresses rapidly.

http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/74967497.jpg
Under-construction flyover near Radisson Hotel and Cantonment

2 four-lane roads taken under PPP
Dhaka access jams to ease up
→ Asif Showkat
Nagging jams on access routes to the capital are likely to ease up as two roads on two sides are being upgraded to four-lane ones under PPP projects.

The projects on the four-lane Hayatpur-Singair-Manikganj and Jatrabari-Sultana Kamal Bridge-Tarabo roads will be implemented under public–private partnership, after the lapse of three years in setting the mega-infrastructure projects rolling.

The two major infrastructure projects will be executed on build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) basis under the newly conceived development paradigm called public-private partnership.

“The government will implement the projects under public-private partnership because of shortage of donor funds amid the existing global recession,” a senior official concerned said.

Acting Communications Ministry Secretary MAN Siddique sent a proposal for the implementation of the two four-lane road projects to the cabinet committee on economic affairs for approval. The proposal will be placed before the cabinet in the last week of this month.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) last year approved these two development projects, which will cost $ 101 million, sources said.

As per the proposal, the communications ministry has already obtained approval from Dhaka Urban Transport Authority for developing the four-lane projects on Hayatpur-Singair –Manikganj and Jatrabari-Sultana Kamal Bridge-Tarabo roads.

These two are among 13 projects selected by Prime Minister’s Office to be implemented under public–private partnership, according to the proposal.

The 90-kilometer Hayatpur –Singair-Manikganj road now operates with two lanes, with some 25,000 motor vehicles crossing the road everyday. After construction of the planned Padma Bridge, transport loads are likely to increase on the Dhaka-Aricha road.

“Besides, after implementation of the 32-kilometer Hayatpur –Singair–Manikganj road, distance between Dhaka and Aricha will decrease substantially,” reads the communications ministry’s project proposal.

The Hayatpur-Singair-Manikganj road project will take five years to complete, at a cost of $ 57 million.

Construction of the 12-kilometer Jatrabari-Sultana Kamal Bridge-Tarabo four-lane road is expected to ease up the traffic jams on Dhaka-Kanchpur and Dhaka-Sylhet highway. Project cost will be $44 million and duration five years.

Source: Daily Sun

When the Khilgaon Flyover and Mohakhali Flyover were under construction were the roads as bad as the roads in the area around Gulistan, Sayedabad and Jatrabari?

Women get four BRTC buses on Motijeel-Demra route

As per the Prime Minister's (PM) directive Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) pressed into service four buses on Motijeel-Demra route exclusively for women on Tuesday, reports UNB.

BRTC Chairman Maj (retd) MM Iqbal inaugurated the bus service at Demra in the morning to ease the sufferings of the women commuters, said an official release.

While inaugurating the new bus service the BRTC chairman pledged to continue the service and sought help from all in this regard.

The PM's directive came on Monday after a working woman from Demra informed her over phone that they have to suffer a lot everyday as there is no bus service for women on Motijheel-Demra route. The woman called the PM over her cellphone.

Source: Financial Express

Alternative road to be constructed at National Memorial

An alternative road will be constructed at the National Memorial complex at Savar ahead of the Victory Day - 2012 to facilitate smooth departure of the dignitaries after paying homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War, reports BSS.
A decision to this effect was taken at an inter-ministerial meeting held on Tuesday at the conference hall of the Ministry of the Liberation War affairs with state minister for Liberation War affairs Captain (Retd) AB Tajul Islam in the chair.
The meeting was convened for finalising the draft of the national programmes for celebration of the Victory Day-2012 in a befitting manner.
Secretary, Ministry of Liberation War affairs Mizanur Rahman and representatives of the armed forces division, Army Navy, Air Force, different ministries, corporations and directorates attended the meeting.
Speaking at the meeting, AB Tajul Islam said, "We face embarrassing situation when the President and Prime Minister of the Republic, foreign envoys and guests, get stuck in the traffic congestion on their way back from the memorial. So, an alternative road should be constructed in the memorial complex ahead of this year's Victory Day."
The state minister instructed officials concerned to visit the national memorial for selecting the site for construction of the proposed alternative road.

Source: Financial Express

Tyre-puncture treatment for law violators

Dhaka, July 19 (bdnews24.com) -- Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Benazir Ahmed has said that 40 modern electronic check-posts would be set up around the capital to leash traffic during Ramadan.

At a briefing on law and order at the Metropolitan Media and Community Services Centre on Thursday, he said, "Electronic check-posts would allow drivers to see traffic signs from distance. If they still violate the sign and try to cross the road, the tyres will be punctured."

The commissioner added that they would not be allowing Iftari stalls to be set up on the footpaths during this Ramadan.

He continued that police had enforced adequate security measures a month ahead of this Ramadan. "Around 20 firearms were seized and around 3,500 criminals were arrested over the last month."

Additional security measures have been put in place at the shopping malls. Strict measures have also been taken to ensure security of devotees during Sehri and Tarabi prayers.

"We have distributed around 2 million leaflets to increase public awareness," Ahmed said adding that police and detective vigilance would continue throughout Ramadan to keep a leash on law and order.

bdnews24.com/kt/ra/rn/nir/2156h

Restriction on Dhaka-bound heavy vehicles imposed


DHAKA, JULY 22: Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has imposed restriction on movement of certain vehicles in capital, including Dhaka-bound truck with the capacity of 1,500 kg+, covered van, trailer and highway bus, prohibiting their entry into the city from 8am to 9:30 pm. A DMP release issued on Sunday said that old vehicles, especially 25-year-old truck will also come under the purview of the restriction. They will not be allowed to entre the capital from 6 am to 11pm.
However, the release said, Chittagong-bound trucks on emergency export duty can ply through alternative routes, ie. Ashulia-Abdullahpur road, New Airport Road, Bishwa Road, Progoti Swarani, Janapath and Jatrabari when the restriction will be in force.
In case of emergency, the restricted vehicles can ply in the city streets after obtaining prior permission from the Deputy Commissioner (Traffic).
DMP Commissioner Benazir Ahmed announced the imposition of restriction under Section 25 of 1976 of Police Ordinance to facilitate movement of vehicles as well as reducing traffic congestion in the city.
The restriction will take effect immediately.

Source: Independent

Severe Road Jams, Simple Solution
Divert traffic thru Tongi byway
→ Sajjad Hossain
Government high-ups should give a pause to thinking of big-dream schemes like elevated expressway, Dhaka metro and the like and divert traffic through Tongi diversion road at the soonest to dilute much of the crippling street jam in the capital.

This is how plain-thinking people like to show the way out of the crisis stemming from intolerable traffic congestions in the populous capital city. This will involve a peanut of the huge amounts of public money going for lavishly planned gigantic projects in Dhaka’s transport management.

Tongi diversion road is at present in a sorry state for traffic due to dilapidated condition and lax security, which is forcing vehicles to avert using the important route. The entire lot of burgeoning traffic is being channeled through the city, thereby intensifying the traffic congestions in the capital.

Vehicles can’t easily ply the alternative road whereon many portholes have developed, rendering it virtually derelict.

All vehicles that could use the byway have to pass through the capital on their way to Chittagong and Sylhet in the eastern direction from the northern and partially southwestern parts of the country, locals said.

“If the road is fit for traffic, vehicles can go easily to northern and other parts of the country without having to get caught in the traffic tailbacks in the capital,” many a local said.

A bypass named ‘Tongi diversion road’ was constructed to reduce traffic jams in Sayedabad and Jatrabari areas of the capital.

But, the route connecting Tongi station road with Kaliganj road is not smooth for traffic for the negligence of the authorities concerned, they said.

Traffic congestions in the areas of Sayadabad and Jatrabari transport depots will come down crashing by nearly 60 percent if the Tongi diversion road is used for traffic. The nagging traffic jams in the capital will also decrease drastically, experts said.

Sources in Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority said the buses and trucks bound for Rajshahi and Mymensingh regions from Chittagong and Sylhet could easily use the route bypassing the capital, if it remains fit for traffic.

“This hope faded out many years ago for careless attitude of the authorities concerned to its repairs,” an official said.

The vehicles that left from the capital’s adjoining areas could ply the road while going to Chittagong and Sylhet.

A DTCA official told daily sun that trucks and other goods-laden vehicles could use it to reduce traffic pressure on the city roads and to save time.

Toll collection by a section of law-enforcers and transport organizations is also a roadblock on the route, locals said.

Source: Daily Sun

Tejgaon-Gulshan link-bridge opens

Dhaka, July 23: The Tejgaon-Gulshan link bridge was formally inaugurated to traffic on Monday. State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Jahangir Kabir Nanok inaugurated the 40-meter long link bridge. Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) constructed the link bridge spending Tk 7 crore, said a PID handout. Speaking on the occasion, Nanok said the city dwellers are now getting better utility services after its bifurcation.
He said the perennial traffic congestion in the city will ease with the completion of the ongoing projects - roads, link roads, underpass and flyovers.
DNCC Administrator Shajahan Ali Mollah, Asaduzzman Khan Kamal, MP, and LGRD secretary Abu Alam Shahid Khan were present at the inaugural function.

Source: Independent

ADB to help design Dhaka-Ctg expressway
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will help design a new expressway between Dhaka and Chittagong to boost trade and ease congestion on the existing highway linking the two cities.

The bank would provide 10 million US dollars loan to design the expressway, the first public-private partnership (PPP) project in the country’s transport sector, said a statement of the bank.

Dhaka, located in the centre of the country, is the main commercial and administrative centre of the country, while Chittagong, situated in the south, is the primary seaport, accounting for 90 percent of imports and exports.

“Once completed, the expressway will provide an immense boost to the country’s trade and industry sector, ensuring safer and faster transport to thousands of users,” said Markus Roesner, Senior Transport Specialist at ADB’s South Asia Regional Department.

The expressway will link the two major metropolitan areas accommodating about a quarter of the country’s population.

The new expressway will provide an alternative to the existing 250-kilometer Dhaka-Chittagong highway, which, like other major road networks in the country, has become congested.

The country’s roads carry more than 70 percent of passengers and 60 percent of freight, and this is expected to rise 6.4 percent annually up to 2015, said the ADB.

The Dhaka-Chittagong Expressway will also be part of the Asian Highway network of 141,000 kilometers of roads crisscrossing through Asia and linking to Europe.

The expressway will be part of government efforts to tap the private sector to finance costly infrastructure.

Under its Sixth Five-Year Plan (2011-2015), the country aims to triple investments in infrastructure from 2 percent to 6 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) through private sources of funds. —BSS

Source: Daily Sun

'Bypass roads before work for new flyovers'

Dhaka, Jul 24 (bdnews24.com) — The Cabinet committee on law and order will ensure alternative roads before construction of flyovers to ease traffic congestion begins.

The committee has asked the Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) department and both Dhaka North and South city corporations to take necessary steps in this regard.

The committee came up with the decision at a meeting held in the Home Ministry on Tuesday. Sahara Khatun informed journalists about the decision later.

"It creates huge problems when construction of flyovers begins by blocking roads, hampering traffic movement. It causes sufferings to city dwellers. So, the decision of constructing a bypass before constructing every flyover has been taken," said Sahara Khatun.

The meeting also discussed the law and order situation, road accidents, anti-adulteration drives, resisting drug business and preventing unrest from taking place in garment industry ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr.

State Minister for Home Shamsul Hoque Tuku said a tripartite meeting of workers, industrialists and representatives of the government was scheduled for next Thursday to tackle workers' unrest.

The meeting was also attended by Law Minister Shafiq Ahmed, Labor and Expatriates Welfare Minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain and Inspector General of Police Hasan Mahmud Khandker.

Source: Daily Sun

Bus rapid transit project grounded

SATURDAY, 04 AUGUST 2012 AUTHOR / SOURCE : FAISAL MAHMUD
DHAKA, Aug 3: The proposed 42-kilometre-long Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project is in limbo due to absence of proper coordination between the implementation processes of its two sections, experts said. Bus rapid transit (BRT) is a particular form of public transportation systems where buses are given dedicated lanes on a road. The 20-year strategic transport plan (STP) formed back in 2008 had termed the BRT as a major potential public transport system to cut the traffic clog of the capital.

Several technical difficulties have also arisen in these two sections – Airport to Gazipur and Sadarghat to Airport. These technical difficulties have put a question mark on the practical feasibility of the whole project, the experts added.
The feasibility study and preliminary design of the 20-km-long Airport-Gazipur section of the BRT, funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), has already been completed. The cabinet in February this year approved a proposal for constituting a special project organisation (SPO) to operate the proposed BRT.
The 22-km-long Airport-Sadharghat section of the BRT, funded by the World Bank, is still in its pre-feasibility stage and the preliminary design of the BRT is still being reviewed by the panel of experts.
The experts concerned, however, said the BRT is a continuous structure and construction of the different sections of it should go on simultaneously, to effectively reduce the traffic congestion in Dhaka.
Dr Sarwar Jahan, professor of the urban and regional planning department of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), said that if implemented, the BRT would significantly reduce the capital’s traffic congestion as it would transport around 20,000 to 22,000 commuters every hour.
He said the main purpose of the BRT is to carry a large number of urban and suburban commuters from one end of the city to the other by public transport, such as buses, over dedicated lanes.
More than 60,000 people come to the central part of Dhaka everyday for various purposes, while another 60,000 people go out of Dhaka everyday after completing their work, Prof Jahan said.
In Dhaka, about three lakh vehicular trips are generated everyday by these people and more than 1,000 bus trips are required everyday to bring these people to Dhaka, while another 1,000 bus trips are required everyday to transport them out of Dhaka, he added.
“But if two sections of the BRT are being implemented at two different times without proper coordination between them, then at the end of the route of each section, even greater traffic congestion will be created, as such traffic cannot be effectively channelled out,” he said.
Talking to The Independent, Mohammad Daliluddin, project director of the Airport-Gazipur section of the BRT, said the work for completing a detailed design of the BRT will start by September this year.
“As soon as the detailed design is completed, we will start implementing the project,” he said, without mentioning any particular time-frame for the completion of the project.
“The roads and highways department, the bridges division under the communications ministry and the local government division of the local government and rural development (LGRD) ministry will work as the implementing agencies for the project,” said Daliluddin, who is also an additional chief engineer of the roads and highways department.
He said the implementation of the BRT is going to cost $ 240 million, of which $ 145 million will be provided by the ADB. “We have already completed loan negotiations with the ADB,” he said.
Daliluddin, however, pointed out that to implement the project successfully, they still need to sort out various issues.
The preliminary design shows that the double-lane BRT will have 1+1 central lanes up to Deora station, and from Deora, it would have 2+2 elevated BRT lines. It will have one terminal and one depot and 31 stations with spaces of 500 to 600 metres each, he said.
As the project director explained, the problem was that they need to construct one bi-level flyover at Joydebpur Chowrasta, five other overpasses at different intersections and two overpasses to provide u-turn facilities in the heavily active national highway (Gazipur-airport stretch) which passes through densely built localities.
“The project also requires replacing the Tongi Bridge with a multi-use eight-lane bridge with two dedicated lanes for the BRT,” he added.
He said the preliminary design has chalked out two options for fixing the dedicated lanes for the buses in the four-lane route. “If the BRT lanes are fixed on the outer sides of the four-lane route, the required speed limit cannot be achieved as those are slow lanes,” he said.
“On the other hand, if fast lanes or the two middle lanes are being dedicated, buses would have to cross the lanes after certain intervals to the bus stops on the sides of the road. This would create anarchy on the road,” he added, and pointed out that they have to decide the issue through a test run, which is very difficult on that busy route.
The implementation of the Sadarghat-Airport section of the BRT, too, has been facing other problems. Anisur Rahman, project director of the Sadarghat-Airport BRT, said the feasibility study of this BRT has not been completed yet as they have to consider several issues.
“This BRT runs through the middle of the capital and this particular stretch is grossly unplanned,” he said.
Rahman said they have to fix the BRT route bypassing the elevated expressway, Banani overpass, Kuril, Cantonment, Moghbazar-Mouchak, Mohakhali and Gulistan flyovers, Hatirjhel project, and the proposed metro rail route.
“This gives us very narrow alignments at different points while numerous intersections and several railway crossings are the other bottlenecks that have to be solved before the route is finalised and the detailed design is prepared,” he explained.

Source: The Independent

http://www.theindependentdigital.com/contents/2012/2012_08_05/content_zoom/2012_08_05_3_4_b.jpg

$ 2.7m KOIKA fund for BRTA

Staff Correspondent

Korea International Cooperation Agency has joined the recent automation endeavor of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority in reducing traffic hassles and monitoring the overall performance of BRTA.
KOICA will provide a US$ 2.7 million fund to implement a ‘Digital BRTA’ project under this initiative.
An implementation survey team from Korea visited Bangladesh from July 29 to August 2 to finalise the project scopes and undertakings by KOICA and BRTA.
Under this project, a high-tech central database centre will be established at the newly constructed BRTA head office in Dhaka.
Besides software and hardware support, the BRTA officials will receive training in Korea for capacity development.
The team discussed with BRTA chairman and engineers, DMP traffic officials, secretary of the ministry of communication and different related public offices on implementation scope and challenges of the project.
The project would help the government achieve the goal of vision 2021.
After successful implementation of the project, BRTA would be more efficient, cost effective in operation, reliability, transparency, provide better service to citizens and overall a good management as a government organisation.
The digital database centre will preserves all licenses and vehicles related information, monitor the present BRTA activities, and provide all required information to BRTA management in shortest period of time.
By updating its web-portal people will get one-stop fastest and accurate service in getting driving license test result, present status of fitness certificate, transport related tax payment etc.
The project expects to integrate the traffic police to enforce traffic rules more efficiently. Simultaneously it will help the government earn more revenue and track illegal driving license holders and vehicle registration.

Gulistan-Jatrabari flyover to be completed next March
Says Nanak

Bss, Dhaka

State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Jahangir Kabir Nanak said construction work of Mayor Hanif Flyover would be completed by March next year to ease traffic jam in the capital.

"We are really sorry for the people's sufferings as we are already late (in constructing the flyover) … but the construction of the Mayor Hanif Flyover will definitely be completed by the next Independence Day (March 26, 2013)," he told a meeting at his secretariat office yesterday.

The minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will open the flyover.

He asked all concerned to complete shifting of utility services by August 20, which was earlier scheduled for June 15 this year.

The state minister ordered cancellation of holidays of the officials concerned as he reviewed the progress of the project.

He said no dillydally would be tolerated further as the government is committed to ease traffic congestion in the area.

"It would be really unfortunate if we have to take tough decision against the negligence of anyone's duty," the minister told BSS, adding, "If they fail to complete the flyover's construction work, the government will look alternatives to do it within the stipulated time."

Nanak said the removal of utility service lines of Titas Gas and DPDC are major barriers to rapid completion of the project right now. He added that the two-kilometre lines of the 10km under construction Gulistan-Jatrabari flyover would be properly removed by August 20 while the main structure of it is expected to be completed by January- February next year.

"Fifty two percent work of the flyover has already been completed…we expect the project to be completed ahead of June next year," said director of the flyover project and superintendent engineer of Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) M Ashiqur Rahman yesterday.

Belhasa Accom and Associates Ltd, an associate company of the Orion Group, is implementing the project at a cost of Tk 2,053 crore on Build- Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) basis, first of its kind in Bangladesh.

Source: The Daily Star

http://www.theindependentdigital.com/contents/2012/2012_08_08/content_zoom/2012_08_08_3_0_b.jpg

Image Source: http://www.theindependentdigital.com/contents/2012/2012_08_08/content_zoom/2012_08_08_3_0_b.jpg

DTCA to coordinate transport projects for mega city, suburbs

Munima Sultana

Dhaka Transport Coordination Board (DTCB) has been transformed into an authority to cover Dhaka mega city, along with its suburbs, under its jurisdiction to implement metro rail-like mass transport projects through a coordinated traffic system.

Officials said the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) has now the power to coordinate transport projects covering Narayanganj, Narsingdi, Munshiganj and Gazipur, apart from the mega Dhaka city.

"Earlier it was difficult to integrate different traffic and transport projects in and around the city. The problem will now be overcome after the formation of DTCA. Different projects can be brought under an umbrella under the provisions of the DTCA Act," said Road Division Secretary M. A. N. Siddique.

He said the authority will give specific guidelines and directives for both state and private-owned transport system, in line with the requirements for mass transport system.

The DTCA Act was initiated two years back to introduce mass transport projects, particularly Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). It finally received the nod from Parliament last March to meet the prime demand of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

JICA is involved as a financier for development of the MRT line-6 project to introduce the first-ever elevated metro rail project from Uttara to Motijheel. It has recommended that the authority should carry out mass transport-related policies and planning and implement related projects.

The DTCA has also the authority to approve the final design of multi-storeyd private and commercial buildings, car parking and traffic calculation of transport-related projects of different authorities and agencies.

The officials said the Act has allowed the authority to advise the authorities concerned to remove illegal or inconvenient structures alongside the roads for the sake of introducing smooth transportation system in the greater Dhaka and its adjoining areas.

As part of having a wider scope for its work, the authority will also formulate policy for roads, footpaths and pedestrians, considering Detailed Area Plan, Strategic Transport Plan and other studies.

The officials said with the transformation of the board into an independent authority, route permit-related issues will be planned with greater operational freedom by the latter. The areas of its operation will also include shipping sector.

The Communications Ministry under which the DTCA will work through a board of directors with the membership of all stakeholders has demanded manpower to run the authority properly.

The minister concerned will be the chairman of the board and its stakeholders will include both mayors of north and south Dhaka City Corporation, members of parliament and representatives of road division, rail, local government, home, shipping, environment and Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha.

Source: Financial Express

Police wreckers: What for?
→ Md Ahamed Ullah


Police are hardly seen using wreckers to clear indiscriminately parked vehicles from the city streets although such encroachment is a major cause of nagging traffic jam.

Normally wreckers are used to remove illegally parked, damaged and out-of-operation vehicles and those damaged in accidents from the road.

Everyday, many vehicles are illegally parked in front of shopping malls built on different points of city roads and even on both sides of roads that hampers smooth traffic movement, residents said.

Although parking on roadside in front of any market and shopping mall is illegal, law enforcers remain silent as if they have nothing to do with it, they alleged.

City-dwellers alleged that illegal car parking in front of shopping centres causes severe traffic congestion but law enforcers do not make use of their wreckers.

Even in an underdeveloped neighbouring country like Nepal, nobody can think of standing car or taxi on a roadside for a moment. Police would pick it with the wrecker in no time.

During a visit to different shopping mall areas in the city, this correspondent found some tow trucks standing idle.

Rabiul Alam, a shopper at New Market, said, “Hundreds of four-wheelers remain parked in front of the market that triggers huge traffic jam in the area.”

“I have not seen any police or tow truck activities there to ease traffic jam,” he added.

Another shopper at Gulshan 2 said traffic congestion can greatly be reduced by preventing illegal parking of vehicles in front of markets and shopping malls.

He said that police should use wreckers to remove illegally parked vehicles.

Vehicles are seen parked on either side of the road from Banglamotor to Moghbazar, to cite one example, occupying at least two-thirds space of the road. But no wrecker was seen remove the illegal parked vehicles.

A traffic police officer said, “At present, we are using tow trucks only to create panic among those who have parked on the road.”

A tow truck driver at Sonargaon intersection, said, “I am doing duty here. No vehicle was towed today.”

Many tow drivers alleged that police take tips by showing tow truck in front of shopping centres instead of using wreckers to remove the illegally parked vehicles.

Sources said that Dhaka Metropolitan Police has a total of 30 tow trucks for use at various points of the capital.

Source: Daily Sun

DMP using high-tech product

http://www.thedailystar.net/photo/2012/08/13/2012-08-13__metro07.jpg

The traffic division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) is going high-tech. This traffic sergeant uses an electronic ticketing machine which instantly saves the case information at the DMP server while giving a printout for the offender. The photo was taken from Kazipara yesterday. Photo: Amran Hossain

DMP using high-tech product

http://www.thedailystar.net/photo/2012/08/13/2012-08-13__metro07.jpg

The traffic division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) is going high-tech. This traffic sergeant uses an electronic ticketing machine which instantly saves the case information at the DMP server while giving a printout for the offender. The photo was taken from Kazipara yesterday. Photo: Amran Hossain
about god damn time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGdSqwtED1o

Video depicting Mirpur-Airport Flyover and Kakoli Trumpet exchange construction

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7NA-8uBXXU&feature=channel&list=UL

Video depicting Kuril-Purbachal flyover construction

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8pfkynWOS1r6ofepo1_500.jpg
Kuril-Purbachal Flyover under construction

^^Looking good!

Yeah, I'm still hesitant to believe they'll be done in 4 months tho :/

http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/77515828.jpg
Hatirjheel Bridge near Rampura

Half of work done in 20 months
Officials still hope to complete it by Dec

View image --> http://www.thedailystar.net/photo/2012/08/25/2012-08-25__fr03.jpg

The under-construction Kuril flyover evolving to completion. It is expected to significantly ease traffic congestion in the capital. Inset, workers busy installing a part. The photos were taken yesterday. Photo: Rashed Shumon
Helemul Alam
With almost half the work pending, Rajuk and the construction firm are giving assurance that the Kuril flyover will be completed within the stipulated time, which is December this year.

Abdul Baki Mian, director of the Tk 254-crore project, is one of the optimists. He recently said they would be able to open the 3.1-kilometre flyover for the public by the year end.

“We understand it will be challenging, but we are determined and working round the clock to meet the deadline,” he said.

Mahbub Ur Rahman, development member of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk), claimed that so far 55 percent work of the flyover had been completed.

Asked, when it took 20 months to come this far how they expect to complete the remaining work in four months, he said the project had suffered eight months' delay due to legal complications in acquiring lands from Bangladesh Railway and private owners.

Moreover, the major time-consuming works, like the piling and foundation work, had been done and the rest would not take much time, he added.

The Rajuk official said of the flyover's four loops, loop-1 had been done and the works of loop-2 and -3 would be completed by the next two months while loop-4 by November. The 2-km internal road would also be completed by November, he said.

Besides, digging of a lake beneath the flyover and construction of two foot bridges on it would also go alongside the main project.

Field-level workers, however, have doubts. “Given the pace at which the work is progressing, it will be impossible to finish the flyover within the scheduled time,” said a worker seeking anonymity.

The objective of the 8.9-metre wide and 48-feet high one-way Kuril flyover was to ease the perennial traffic congestion in Banani, and on Kuril-Biswa Road, Airport Road, Pragati Sarani and the under-construction Purbachal link road.

Rajuk is constructing the flyover with its own fund while Project Builders Ltd Bangladesh and Major Bridge Engineering Corporation China (CPB-MBEC JV), are constructing it, said Mahbub Ur Rahman.

Source: Daily Star

http://thenewnationbd.com/news_image/daily_news/20120830/BA%203.jpg

Traffic police have started to check vehicle registration and other driver's info on portable computer-like devices.

SPASS cards for BRTC bus put positive impact

Archita Baroi

Pre-paid smart card SPASS of the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation bus service is gaining popularity among the commuters as it ensures fair fare.
In the ticket system the fare is fixed for every destination irrespective of where the commuters get down from the bus, but in case of the pre-paid cards the fare is charged on a per kilometre basis.
SPASS card holders have expressed their satisfaction with the new system as it saves them money, their fares being counted on Tk 1.55 per kilometre basis wherever they get down from the bus.
South East University student Imtiaz Ahmed resides in the Farmgate area and uses SPASS, which charges Tk 20 for going to Banani from Farmgate.
‘When I did not use SPASS, I had to buy a Farmgate-to-Airport ticket for Tk 25 as there was no Farmgate-to-Banani ticket,’ he said.
SPASS users from two other routes echoed Imtiaz, saying that they had to buy ticket for additional distance and pay extra but SPASS ensured their fair fare.
Farzana Karim, resident of Mirpur and working in a bank in Motijheel, said she did not have to face the hassle of buying ticket every day after buying SPASS. ‘Previously, I had to brawl at the ticket counter every morning.’
The Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation bus service introduced pre-paid smart card SPASS on the Motijheel to Abdullahpur route in April, 2012 in the capital under a pilot project. SPASS was also introduced on the Motijheel to Mirpur route in July, 2012.
A total of 33,000 SPASS cards would be distributed in the city under the pilot project.
Of them, 9,500 cards were distributed on the Motijheel to Abdullahpur route and 2,500 on the Motijheel to Mirpur route, said Aminul Islam, project in-charge of SPASS of N-Wave Company.
The total technical support and system provider of the pilot project is N-Wave Company Bangladesh Limited, a subsidiary of a Japanese company, while the Japan International Cooperation Agency is financing the project.
‘Around 3,700 cards are used on the Motijheel to Abdullahpur route per day and around 600 on Motijheel to Mirpur per day. A total of 30 air-conditioned buses on the Motijheel to Abdullahpur route and 20 double-decker buses have the digital portable cash register device to provide SPASS facility,’ Aminul said.
He said people can collect SPASS from operators inside the bus.
‘People do not have to pay any extra for buying a card. They will just need to pay Tk 200 for the first time recharge and they can recharge their pre-paid cards from the BRTC bus counters,’ he said.
Aminul said the pilot project would end in September and then JICA would submit the project report to the ministry.
After completion of the project, SPASS system will directly be run by the BRTC, he informed.

Source: New Age

Use of Tongi diversion road can reduce city gridlock: Experts
→ Sajjad Hossain


Tongi Diversion, a new bypass that links Dhaka-Chittagong and Dhaka-Sylhet highways, is not abuzz with traffic yet because of negligence on part of communications ministry in rerouting vehicles through the road.

The road was constructed to divert traffic around the capital to different parts of the country and to check unbridled entry of inter-district transport to the traffic-choked metropolis.

But an evident lack of sincere effort by the ministry is discouraging drivers from using the diversion. Maximum traffic is using Jatrabari passage, causing frequent tailbacks in the densely inhabited area that spill over into the city.

Sources said an unholy nexus of traffic police, officials of the communications ministry and roads and highways department stands in the way of diverting vehicles through the diversion route.

If the buses passing through Mohakhali and Gabtoli areas use the diversion, traffic congestion will be reduced considerably, said an official of Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA).

But most of the buses use the jammed Jatrabari corridor for early exit to save fuel cost, he observed.

On the other hand, the government has taken scores of projects like elevated expressway, metro rail and flyovers to ease traffic jam, but Tongi Diversion remains idle, in a sorry state though, also due to dilapidated condition and lax security.

Vehicles cannot easily ply the alternative road as it has developed huge portholes, rendering it virtually derelict.

However, Communications Minister Obaidul Quader claimed the condition of Tongi Diversion is better now and it is quite fit for vehicular movement.

“Drivers are not using the road regularly because of distance problem as they have to drive an additional 16 kilometres to reach Chittagong or Sylhet intersection via the diversion,” he said.

DTCA sources said the buses and trucks bound for Rajshahi and Mymensingh regions from Chittagong and Sylhet can easily take the route, bypassing the capital, if it remains fit for traffic.

“This hope faded away many years ago for careless attitude of the authorities concerned to its essential repair,” an official told daily sun.

Locals said vehicles that could use the byway have to pass through the capital on their way to Chittagong and Sylhet in the eastern direction from northern and partially southwestern parts of the country.

If Tongi Diversion remains fit for traffic, vehicles can easily go to northern as well as other regions without getting caught in nagging tailbacks in the capital, traffic experts observed.

But the route connecting Tongi station road with Kaliganj road is not smooth for traffic for sheer negligence of the authorities concerned, they said.

Traffic congestions in the areas of Sayedabad and Jatrabari transport depots will come down nearly 60 percent if the diversion is fully used.

Even, crippling gridlock in the capital will also decrease drastically, the experts added.

Trucks and other goods-laden vehicles can use the diversion to cut traffic pressure on city roads and also to save the time lost getting caught in road jams, a DTCA official told daily sun.

Locals said toll collection by a section of law-enforcers and transport associations is also a roadblock to proper use of the route.

Source: Daily Sun

MP offers to fund Azimpur-Gabtoli flyover

A ruling Awami League MP on Thursday offered to fund the nine-km-long proposed flyover to connect Azimpur with Gabtoli.

Aslamul Hoque, the lawmaker from Dhaka-14 constituency (Mirpur-Gabtoli), came up with the proposal at a meeting at Local Government and Rural Development ministry on Thursday.

Hoque is facing investigation for encroaching upon the land of Government Bangla College at Mirpur.

LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam presided over the meeting that discussed construction of the flyover named after late Awami League leader Mohammed Hanif, who was the Mayor of Dhaka City Corporation.

Syed Ashraf suggested Hoque to come up with a final proposal.

LGRD ministry's Public Relations Officer Mominul Hoque said Hoque made the proposal on behalf of his business firm, Maisha Group.

The MP will build the flyover with his own money without bank borrowing, he added.

In his bid to convince the minister, Hoque said the flyover would be constructed in the next one and a half years before expiry of the government's tenure.

Source: BDNews24

‘Whatever signals we have are broken’

Mahbubur Rahman, joint commissioner of traffic at the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, tells Saad Hammadi how administrative loopholes let away drivers killing people on road

Dhaka has very limited road space, compared to the traffic of transports it sees every day. As the chief of traffic department, how do you see the people getting respite from this chaotic traffic congestion?
Road traffic depends on four issues: engineer, education, enforcement and environment. We are only responsible for the enforcement. Currently the problem we have with Dhaka is an issue of capacity, not enforcement. This has to do with engineering. Dhaka is already over populated and with this limited infrastructure it is almost impossible to manage traffic. We have to go for mass transit. The government is working on it and the World Bank is also helping in it. We have one Strategic Transport Plan, developed for 20 years, which was commissioned in 2005. The STP proposes three bus rapid transit and three mass rapid transits. Once we have these transit systems, these will help to ease the congestion.

Traffic policemen often stop cars when lights are green and ask them to move when the lights are red, leaving the drivers confused as to whether they should go by the lights or not. Why is it that traffic policemen prefer manual signals over automated ones?
Right at this moment whatever signals we have are broken. They don’t work. There was a contract between the Dhaka City Corporation and Dhaka Metropolitan Police to manage the signals but that contract has expired a year ago. The installation and maintenance of the signalling systems belonged to the city corporation; we were responsible for only operating them. We have to operate the signals manually because we cannot depend on the automatic signals.

Are there any initiatives taken to bring the traffic signals to function?
We are very unhappy with the city corporation. Their contract expired a year ago and they are still in the process of calling tenders. We don’t know how long it’s going to take.

The most recent bus accident killing a student at Shahbagh on August 29, once again revealed that many drivers of the heavy vehicles ply roads without licenses.
The BRTA takes care of the driving licensing system. There is also an instruction from the High Court not to issue heavy driver’s permit without having all formalities observed. Currently, among the heavy drivers that you see on road, most of them do not have driver’s license. Numbers of drivers who have the permit are far less than the number of vehicles on the road. Less than 30 per cent drivers have permits to ply the roads. We have a choice: to stop them from driving or to give them drivers’ permits. We can’t take away all these drivers of vehicles from the road as they meet the transportation of the highly populated city. Still there is a scarcity of buses on road.
We proposed the ministry of communication to form a small technical committee to study the issues and address the problems. BRTA cannot issue drivers’ permit and we also cannot take away all the buses from the road. That puts us in a deadlock.

If they don’t have the driver’s permit, they do not fit the eligibility to drive heavy vehicles. Would you say that there is also a lack of monitoring?
It’s a chain problem. Every time a driver violates a rule, there are two types of offences: administrative and operational. On administrative ends, the drivers may not have blue book, route permit, insurance etc. If the driver violates signals, or drives recklessly, those offences are operational. For operational violations, if I have to sue a driver, I have to seek his documents. If the driver does not have a permit, he is like a stranger.

Not having the documents while driving is still an offence.
Yes it is. Most of them have fake documents. We cannot always immediately verify their licenses. So we seize their documents. The driver can show up either in the court or at the DC traffic’s office. Since it is a fake document, the driver does not turn up anywhere. Instead he arranges another set of fake documents and continues to operate.

You are saying there is a loophole in the system that lets them get away.
Absolutely! The fundamental loophole is that they do not have a driver’s permit. Whenever you enact a law, it is more to be obeyed than enforced. In Dhaka city, for example, our requirement for driver’s permit is 7,000. You have only 2,000 permits. Can you take out all the 5,000 drivers from the road all of a sudden? That will be a huge chaos. We can’t take away all the buses from the roads all of a sudden.

Do you not think that the buses stopping at road turnings pose a serious threat to the lives of people and movement of the rest of the vehicles on the road?
They are not supposed to stop at the turnings. Not only does it threaten the lives of pedestrians but also it creates traffic congestion. That is why in some places we created lanes. Every day we prosecute approximately 3,000 drivers. Still, the numbers of violations are very high.

There are widespread allegations of traffic policemen taking bribes from transport owners for bending rules.
Every organisation has some strengths and weaknesses. This is one of our major weaknesses. However, we take serious action against anyone we find guilty. Not only suspension but we have also dismissed officials and ripped off their ranks.

Buses parked on roads, footpaths occupied with vendors and hawkers are common sights, despite a High Court order earlier this year to keep the pavements free from occupation. Will you argue that there is indifference in the enforcement of laws?
We tend to keep the footpaths clear but it also requires political will. The High Court gave us an order to clear some of the areas and we did that. We have to have open space for the pedestrians but it requires political decision.

To play the devil's advocate, a counter statement could be that scarcity of parking space leaves the trail of vehicles parked on the streets. The government allowed people to consume cars without ensuring adequate space to keep them. Do you think wheel clamps to lock illegally parked vehicles, towing them and fining them are justified under the circumstance?
It is very difficult to say. We have a shortage of road. We require 25 per cent road space while we have only seven per cent. Out of this seven per cent, we can use only 50 per cent for road traffic. Because there is no mass transit, people use personal vehicles to travel. On the other side, we don’t have enough space where we can allow them to park. We have to make a healthy compromise. We requested the city corporation to formulate a parking policy for Dhaka. As there is not enough parking space, in some places where cars are parked in single lanes, we ignore it. So long we do not have a mass transit system, a parking policy, we have to compromise.

Source: New Age

Upgrading Dhaka bypass to four lane gets nod
→ Staff Correspondent


The government will upgrade the Joydevpur-Debogram-Bhulta-Madanpur road to a four-lane way under public-private partnership (PPP) initiative to allow 20,000 vehicles plying the bypass every day to ease traffic jam in and around the capital.

The proposal of the communications division was approved at a meeting of the cabinet committee on economic affairs Tuesday. Agriculture Minister Begum Matia Chowdhury presided over the meeting.

At present, a total of 10,000 vehicles including 4,500 heavy ones, travel through the road.

The ministry proposal said the government would definitely be benefited from upgrading Dhaka bypass under PPP initiative as its financial cost will be reduced because private parties will involve in the construction work, said a senior official of the communications ministry on Monday.

If the bypass is upgraded, transportation and energy cost will be reduced as well as ensuring securities, according to the proposal signed by Secretary in-charge of Communications Ministry MAN Siddique.

The proposal was sent to the cabinet committee on economic affair last week and it will be placed before the cabinet meeting on Tuesday for approval.

The construction cost of 48.70 kms long and 120 feet wide Dhaka bypass will be Tk 1.40 billion. The work will be completed within two years, says the proposal.

Meanwhile, the government of Qatar has shown interest in constructing Joydevpur-Debogram-Bhulta-Madanpur road or Dhaka bypass and they are very much interested to conclude the agreements with Bangladesh as soon as possible.

Last July the government decided to initiate two projects under PPP framework to turn two roads into four lanes aiming to ease the nagging traffic congestion on the access routes to the capital.

The cabinet committee on economic affairs approved “Hemayetpur-Singair-Manikganj Road Four Lane Development Project” and “Jatrabari-Sultana Kamal Bridge-Tarabo Road Four Lane Development Project” for constructing the roads under PPP mode.

This is the first time the government decided to implement any road project under the PPP.

The two major road projects will be implemented on build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) basis under public-private initiative.

Source: Daily Sun

Flyover scam of ruling party MP in Bangladesh

National Board of Revenue and Anti Corruption Commission, on a number of tips have started investigating the case of a local company named Maisha Group – owned by ruling party lawmaker Md. Aslamul Hoque. According to information, Maisha Group expressed willingness to implement the Mirpur Flyover in Dhaka city at their own finance without borrowing any amount of the local financial institutions. Experts say, more than TK 4 billion is required for the construction of this Mirpur Flyover, while they expressed surprise as to how Maisha Group could manage the required fund for the implementation of the project at their own finance, while most of the projects owned by Maisha Group are having significant amount of bank loans, both of state-owned and private financial institutions in Bangladesh. They question, when a company is also having huge amount of bank loans for a number of its enterprises, how it would be possible for the company of the ruling party lawmaker in constructing the flyover with such huge sum of money from their own resources.

It may be mentioned here that, Md. Aslamul Hoque, MP came into news headline following disappearance of two of his chauffeurs last month. It was though claimed by Maisha Group that the two chauffeurs went into hiding after stealing TK 200,000 from the company, newspaper reports suggested investigating these mysterious disappearance of the chauffeurs claiming it could have been another case of forced disappearances and murder, which already has become an alarming phenomenon in the country.

Although the business enterprise of Md. Aslamul Hoque, MP claims to solely implement the Mirpur flyover project in Dhaka with its own fund, it was revealed from source within National Board of Revenue that the ruling party lawmaker showed only TK. 46 million as net income during the fiscal year of 2010-2011, while from the application, which has been submitted by Maisha Group to Bangladesh government, it is understood that the ruling party lawmaker's companies are having billions of Taka as idle money, which they can invest in large construction projects.

In the website of Maisha Group, which still is under construction, it is written: "Maisha Group is one of the leading privately held companies in Bangladesh. The Group has now entered the International Arena, with companies in Malaysia and Singapore ever moving forward to a World recognised brand. Our corporate values are Teamwork, Transparency and Customer Success which focuses on our long-term perspective for leadership and prosperity. These values should inspire us to a level of excellence that maximizes value for customers, business partners, and shareholders, while supporting our employees and the communities in which our employees live and work. These values are intended to be a foundation to guide our decisions.

The company claims to be having established branches in Malaysia and Singapore, though it is unclear as to how much of money the ruling party lawmaker had shifted to those countries in such business ventures. It is initially anticipated that Md. Aslamul Haque, MP might have invested significant amount of money in Malaysia through his company established there with the goal of obtaining "Second Home" privileges in Malaysia with permanent resident visas for him along with other members of his family. Since Bangladesh Awami League led leftist-Islamist coalition government came in power in 2009, Md. Aslamul Haque has successfully established a large number of companies under the umbrella of Maisha Group. Names of the companies are:

Maisha Property Development Limited

Mahim Real Estate Limited

Aswat Consumer Limited

Interlink Recycle Limited

Dhaka West Power Limited [quick rental power station]

Dhaka North Power Utility Company Ltd [quick rental power station]

CLC Power Company Limited [quick rental power station]

Mahim Trade Link

Crystal Readymix Limited

Mahim Leisure & Associates Limited

Mahim Shipping Lines Limited

Dayking Corporation Limited

Mega Tech Asset Holdings SDN BHD [company in Malaysia]

Eco Environment Recycle Industries SDN BHD [company in Malaysia]

Asian Charters Pte Limited [company in Singapore].

It is learnt that Asian Charters Pte Limited is enjoying almost monopoly business in providing chartered aircrafts to national flag career Biman Bangladesh Airlines and making millions of dollars as profit. It is also operating private airline charter service as well as air ambulance service in Bangladesh. M Haidar Uzzaman is the CEO of this unit of Maisha Group.

Dhaka West Power Ltd. is a sister concern of Maisha Group whose principle activity is to set up a power plant for generation and supply of electricity. It was incorporated in Bangladesh on 28th October, 2010 under the company act 1994 its registration number is C-87861/2010. According to the Maisha Group website, Dhaka West Power Ltd. is preparing to construct a modern power plant to be located at Bosila, Dhaka to help fight against the increasing demand for power. Capital outlay for the project is estimated USD 120 Million including working capital. This power plant will operate on an IPP basis under BOO [Build, Own & Operate] scheme. Total capacity of the Heavy Fuel Oil [HFO] operated power plant will be 108 MW [net].

Dhaka North Power Utility Co. Ltd. is a sister concern of Maisha Group which is established with a view to set up power plants for generation and supply of electricity. It is incorporated in Bangladesh in 28th October, 2010 under the company act 1994 having its registration on C-87862/2010. According to company's website, Dhaka North Power Ltd. is preparing to construct a modern power plant to be located at Bosila, Dhaka to help fight against the increasing demand for power. Capital outlay for the project is estimated USD 120 Million including working capital. This power plant will operate on an IPP basis under BOO [Build, Own & Operate] scheme. Total capacity of the Heavy Fuel Oil [HFO] operated power plant will be 108 MW [net]. The project is supposed to go into operation during dry season in 2013.

CLC Power Company Ltd is a private limited company incorporated in Bangladesh in 2010 under the Companies Act 1994 Registration Number. C-89027/10. According to company's website, CLC Power Company Ltd is currently constructing a modern power plant located at Bosila, Washpur, Keraniganj, Dhaka. Total capital layout for the project has been estimated at USD 110 Million including working capital. This power plant will be operated on IPP basis under BOO (Build, Own & Operate) scheme. It will be Heavy Fuel Oil [HFO] operated with a total capacity of the power plant will be 104 MW [Net].

Source: Weekly Blitz

Kuril flyover opens in January

The construction of Kuril flyover will be completed in December and is expected to be opened to traffic in January, 2013, reports BSS.
"The construction of Kuril flyover is nearing completion despite many hurdles," Rajdhani Unnayana Katripakkha (RAJUK) Chairman Engineer Nurul Huda told the news agency.
He said the construction of the important infrastructure had faced litigations and there was delay in getting railway lands and evicting illegal occupants.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the construction of the flyover on May 2, 2010 on 12.82 acres of land. The project was scheduled to be implemented in 24 months.
Funded by RAJUK, the construction work of Taka 300-crore flyover is being carried out by a local company.
RAJUK Member (development) M Mahbub-ul-Alam expressed the hope that total construction cost of flyover would not exceed Taka 260 crore, 40 crore less than the allocated fund of Taka 300 crore.
The 3.1-kilometer long and 6.7- metre and 9.2-metre wide flyover will have 1,29 kilometers approach roads to ease traffic jam in the adjoining areas.
It will connect the Airport Road to Progati Smarani and ease communications with the proposed Purbachal new town.
The RAJUK chairman said the Kuril flyover is being constructed keeping in mind the traffic condition after 50 years.
He said currently 27,00 vehicles ply through Kuril per day, which will increase by one and a half times in 10 years and 10 times in 50 years.
The flyover will have five connecting points at Banani, Airport Road, Progati Smarani, Nikunja and Purbachal, he added.
Mahmub-ul-Alam said beside easing communications with Purbachal, the Kuril flyover will mitigate traffic jam in Dhaka city.

Source: News Today

Hatirjheel road opens Dec 15
Hopes public works state minister

Helemul Alam
Monday, September 24, 2012

Work of Hatirjheel-Begunbari road construction project in the capital going on in full swing. The peripheral road along the canals is likely to be opened to the public at the end of the year.

With only 10 percent work remaining, the peripheral road along the capital's Hatirjheel-Begunbari canals will likely be opened to the public on December 15, said State Minister for Housing and Public Works Abdul Mannan Khan yesterday.

With the works satisfactorily progressing, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be able to inaugurate the road on that day, said the state minister during a visit to the site.

The final layer of the 10-kilometre road, having lanes connecting Banglamotor, Dilu Road, Moghbazar, Ulan, Noyatola, Rampura, Begunbari and Kunipara areas, is being laid, he said.

The road will help ease traffic movement from Rampura to Karwan Bazar and Moghbazar, taking “only 10 minutes” from the present one and a half hours, he said.

The state minister said the roads will connect four bridges, four overpasses, two-lane expressways and U-loops near Rampura Bridge and have adjoining walkways and waterbus services, he said.

On cleaning the water of the canals, Prof Mujibur Rahman of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet), whose team conducted the project's feasibility study, said it would take over one year.

Though 10-km diversion sewage pipes have been constructed on both sides of the canals to take in all the waste being dumped from adjoining areas, the sewage ends up at one end of the canals, he said.

As per another project, a pump station, having a drainage capacity of 5,000 cubic metres per day, will be constructed in Rampura to release the sewage in Sutibhola canal, some two kilometres away from Hatirjheel, he said.

In the meantime, a sewage treatment plant will be constructed in Dasherkandi, some five kilometres from Rampura. Once complete, the sewage will be drained directly from the canals to the plant and then the harmless liquid would be released in Balu river, situated in the capital's outskirts, he said.

The designs for the pump station and sewage treatment plant will be complete by December 2012. Afterwards, the pump station will take one year while the treatment plant two years to be constructed if all goes as planned, he added.

Human and industrial wastes from different adjoining areas are released in the Hatirjheel-Begunbari canals through 11 outlets, making it difficult to keep the canals' water clean, he said.

If the residents and industry owners do not change their mindset and the authorities concerned do not take proper steps, it will not be possible to keep the canals' water clean, he added.

The Begunbari-Hatirjheel project is of two portions. The south portion comprises a two-way road from Sonargaon Hotel to Tongi Diversion along Begunbari canal and connected to Dilu Road.

It also has a road network from Tongi Diversion to Rampura Bridge along Hatirjheel canal, which is comprised of a one-way express road with a two-way side road. A two-lane expressway goes from Tongi Diversion via Gulshan to Pragati Sarani.

In the north portion, a road goes from Begunbari power house via Kunipara and Gulshan-1 to Merul Badda.

Rajuk, 16 Engineering Construction Battalion of Bangladesh Army, Dhaka Wasa and Local Government Engineering Department are jointly implementing the project while Buet is the consultant.

Source:
The Daily Star

Gabtoli-Swarighat road to get 4 lanes: Minister

Staff Correspondent
The 11-kilometre Gabtoli-Swarighat road will be expanded to four-lane and a tender in this regard will be invited in two weeks.

Communications Minister Obaidul Quader announced this while visiting the road yesterday.

He said the expansion work will be implemented in two phases. The six-kilometre road from Gabtoli to Hazaribagh will be upgraded in the first phase, he added.

An estimated Tk 72 crore will be needed to upgrade the road which has been very crucial due to increasing number of vehicles, especially goods carrying trucks. Once upgraded, it will help reduce the existing traffic congestion in the old part of the capital.

Quader expressed his unhappiness to see dumping of wastage on both sides of the road, which further narrowed the thoroughfare.

Source: Daily Star

e-Traffic Prosecution system launched in capital
Staff Correspondent
The e-Traffic Prosecution system was launched in the capital yesterday in a bid to bring transparency to the process of collecting fines from vehicle owners and passers-by breaking traffic rules.

Home Minister Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir inaugurated the modern system at a function at Rajarbagh Police Lines. Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) will operate it.

Under the system, subscribers of Robi will be able to check papers of their cars, driving licenses and other such documents through text messages. Traffic police can file cases against offenders and the lawbreakers can also pay fines through a Robi number.

Source: Daily Star

http://www.thedailystar.net/photo/2012/09/29/2012-09-29__met06.jpg
Progress continues swiftly on the Kuril flyover (picture taken from Airport Road near Dhaka Regency Hotel)

If they wanna open this to public on jan as planned,then they really need to hurry.I heard they would even create a lake below the flyover for beautification,that ofcourse will take longer

If they wanna open this to public on jan as planned,then they really need to hurry.I heard they would even create a lake below the flyover for beautification,that ofcourse will take longer

There are two existing lakes in the area, Kuril Lake and Khilket Lake. Of course, I remember when the lake use to extend from the Airport all the way to the Airport Road/Pragati Sarani intersection but the illegal railway market (across from the Regency) broke the flow of the lake.

1,000 new taxis hit Dhaka streets in Nov: Quader

Communications Minister Obaidul Quader on Saturday said some 1,000 new taxicabs would ply the city streets from November aiming to meet increasing demand of the city dwellers.


"Considering passengers' sufferings, the government has decided to introduce 1,000 new taxicabs with modern facilities in the capital for ferrying city dwellers smoothly," Quader said while inaugurating selling of Tata Jeep and pick-up van at Hotel Ruposhi Bangla.

Chaired by chairman of Nitol-Niloy Group Abdul Matlub Ahmad, the function was also addressed by chairman of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) M Ayubur Rahman Khan and regional chief of Tata Motors ltd, India Rudhrarup Moitra as the special guests.


The minister said the government has also taken measure to import 1,000 trucks for Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) fleet to carry goods across the country.

Quader said the government would introduce digital number plates to all motor vehicles from October for avoiding irregularities. Currently the BTRA issues manual number plates.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/latest_news.php?nid=41257

Video of roads under construction

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzXK6aBtJq0

Quader urges dev partners not to deprive general people of dream

FE Report

Communications Minister Obaidul Quader has urged the development partners of Bangladesh not to deprive common people of their dream by raising the issue of corruption.

"Corruption is everywhere in the world. The situation may be the same in the country. The country's common people have no link with corruption," he said.

The minister was addressing a workshop titled 'BRT and Corridor Restructuring Implementation Study and Preliminary Design Work for the Uttara-Sadarghat Corridor Project,' held in the city Tuesday.

Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) organised the daylong workshop to share the findings of a study team to introduce the city's second dedicated bus lane known as Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line-3.

The minister said in the name of accountability and transparency, dreams of millions of people have been shattered and sometimes it becomes embarrassing for the government to sit at the negotiation table with an odd feeling.

The workshop chaired by DTCA Executive Director Aftabuddin Talukder was also addressed by Road Division Secretary MAN Siddique, World Bank CASE project task team leader Maria Sarraf and Project Director Anisur Rahman.

During the workshop, the study team presented the findings of the final study of BRT line-3 and said an estimated US$ 277 million would be required to run the modern bus service from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Keraniganj.

Team leader Ernesto J Mata of ALG said 16 stations have been proposed mostly at grade for smooth plying of 240-passenger capacity buses. Four stations -- Amtali, Mohakhali bus terminal, Hatirjheel and Kakrail -- have been suggested to set up an elevated way considering space and constraints.

"After introduction BRT bus system is likely change the transport culture of the city," Mata told the workshop.

However the BRT line-3 has still challenges to accommodate dedicated bus lane for high passenger capacity articulated buses and the study team suggested construction of four flyovers on the 22 km route to avoid conflict with the various infrastructures situated along the congested corridor.

Of these, Banani overpass has already been coordinated with the BRT line by turning the four-lane bridge into a six-lane one. Other proposed flyovers are to be set up accommodating those with Mohakhali flyover, LGED flyover at Hatirjheel and Kakrail flyover.

Route construction may begin in a year

Says project official
Staff Correspondent
The construction of the route for faster bus service, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), stretching from the capital's Shahjalal International Airport to Keraniganj is likely to begin within a year, its project director said yesterday.

The final design of the project is expected in a year, and the construction will begin shortly afterwards with an estimated deadline of 2015, Anisur Rahman told a workshop on the final feasibility report on the proposed 22-km route.

The World Bank is likely to fund the $277 million scheme, he told The Daily Star.

Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority organised the workshop at a city hotel.

The BRT is a dedicated, improved transport service with articulated (conjoined) buses to carry an estimated 20,000 passengers per hour in one direction. It would help ease the horrendous traffic jam in Dhaka city, say experts.

The sooner the BRT is in place, the better it is for addressing the traffic problem, said noted transport planning expert Dr M Rahmatullah.

Two central lanes of the existing road will constitute the BRT route, and there will be an adequate number of stations along the route for short-distance travellers.

The entire BRT route however will require a dozen elevated overpasses and coordination with other upcoming transport projects.

The airport-Sadarghat route makes up one part of the 45-kilometre BRT route from Gazipur to Sadarghat.

A Spanish consultation firm Advanced Logistic Group carried out the feasibility study and has prepared the preliminary design with World Bank fund.

The same firm did the feasibility study on the 23-km Gazipur-airport section that is now under construction.

Source: Daily Star

http://www.thedailystar.net/photo/2012/09/29/2012-09-29__met06.jpg
Progress continues swiftly on the Kuril flyover (picture taken from Airport Road near Dhaka Regency Hotel)

http://www.theindependentdigital.com/contents/2012/2012_10_09/content_zoom/2012_10_09_3_8_b.jpg
9 days later

Source: http://www.theindependentdigital.com/contents/2012/2012_10_09/content_zoom/2012_10_09_3_8_b.jpg

9 days later

Source: http://www.theindependentdigital.com/contents/2012/2012_10_09/content_zoom/2012_10_09_3_8_b.jpg

I really wish the govt will take effective steps to prevent people from putting posters on the pillars as well as other places in cities

BRT route construction to start in Nov
. banglanews24.com, Dhaka
The construction work of separate lane for faster bus, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), will be started from November to lessen nagging traffic jam of the city. The survey regarding implementation of 22 kilometers BRT lane-3 from Airport Rail Station to Keraniganj has been completed recently that financed by World Bank.
But, Asian Development Bank (ADB) will finance for implement the $ 27.7crore main project, communications ministry sources said.
Sources said the project will be implemented in two parts. One lane will be constructed from Gazipur to Airport while another lane from Airport to Sadarghat.

3rd 4-lane road to link up N region with capital, ease traffic movement
ADB among other fund providers

FHM Humayan Kabir

The government will construct the country's third four-lane road to ensure smooth traffic flow between the northern districts and the capital by investing nearly US$ 345 million, officials said Thursday.

Communications ministry officials said they have decided to construct the 70-kilometre four-lane road from Joydevpur crossing in Gazipur to Elenga in Tangail, which will also be used as a route on the proposed Asian Highway.

"We will invite tender soon. We have completed the feasibility study and design for the road's upgrading work," a Roads and Highways Department (RHD) official told the FE.

The Manila-based lender Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide the highest $198 million's worth fund, while two other Middle Eastern development partners will provide a total of $60 million. The rest $87 million will be provided by the government.

OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (AFDF) will lend $30 million each for the four-lane project, a senor official said.

An Economic Relations Division (ERD) official said the ADB has agreed to provide its pledged $198 million loan for the 4-lane road upgrading, to be completed in 2017.

At a negotiation last month in Dhaka, the Manila-based lender has agreed to provide the fund, he told the FE.

The $198 million loan proposal is expected to be placed before the ADB board on November 22, said the ERD official.

Under the $345 million project, the government will also upgrade the facilities at the Bangladesh's largest land port Benapole and Burimari.

Earlier, the ADB had come forward with its technical assistance to upgrade Bangladesh's three important roads into 4-lane ones on the northern and south-western highways under the sub-regional road project.

Under the sub-regional project, Joydevpur-Chandra-Tangail-Elenga; Faridpur-Barisal-Kuwakata and Dhaka-Mawa-Bhanga two-lane roads will be upgraded into four lanes.

The Manila-based lender is expected to assist the government in constructing the 4-lane roads, the ERD official said.

Under an $11 million ADB financial support, the RHD is studying feasibility and preparing design for the proposed 4-lane roads in northern and south-western Bangladesh.

Joydevpur-Elenga, Dhaka-Mawa-Bhanga and Faridpur-Barisal-Kuwakata are the busiest roads in the country after the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway as these are the country's most utilised roads for the northern and south-western regions' people.

Passengers, tourists and business people face severe traffic jams at different points on these existing two-lane roads, as traffic flow has increased a lot here over the last few years, a Communications Ministry official said.

Northern and south-western Bangladesh is the major food supplier to the capital city and the rest of the country. The region utilises the three above roads, set to be upgraded into four-lane ones, to market their products.

The RHD, the national highways developer, is struggling over fund crisis due to the recent financial support ban by the country's largest multilateral donor --World Bank, for alleged corruption charges.

The national road developer will get a great relief from the fund crisis if the Manila-based Asia-Pacific lender provides it with funds to build the busy roads in the north and south-western regions.

Source: Financial Express

Banani overpass, bridge to open by Dec: Quader


http://bdnews24.com/nimage/2012-10-12-18-34-58-Bonani-Overpass-tm.jpg
http://bdnews24.com/nimage/2012-10-12-18-34-58-Bonani-Overpass-tm.jpg
Dhaka, Oct 12 (bdnews24.com) – The under construction 1.8-km-long Mirpur-Airport Road flyover through the restricted Dhaka Cantonment zone will be thrown open to the public by early March next year and the overpass and the connecting bridge at the Banani rail crossing by the end of December this year.

Communications Minister Obaidul Quader gave this information after a visit to the project area on Friday.

"Progress of the work is satisfactory. We hope that the Prime Minister will inaugurate the overpass and the connecting bridge by the last week of December," he said.

The 800-meter-long Banani overpass will have six lanes and a designated road. A link bridge will connect the overpass with the flyover.

Quader said that 65 percent of the flyover's construction work had been done, as per the target. Construction of 45 percent of the overpass and the connecting bridge has been completed so far.

The army's Special Works Organisation (SWO) took charge of the project in June 2010 with a target to complete the work by the year-end.

Quader had earlier said that once the flyover was complete, people would cross the cantonment in just 10 minutes.

Starting from Matikata, the flyover ends at Radisson Hotel. People using the flyover will not face the cantonment's check posts. At present, the residents of Mirpur and Pallabi areas have to take a long detour to Bijoy Sarani or Agargaon to go to the airport putting extra pressure on the busy Airport Road.

He also ordered the authorities concerned to complete the repair work of roads across the country before the coming Eid-ul-Azha festival for smooth journey of the homebound people.

bdnews24.com/sw/su/skb/nir/1831h

RAJUK mulls overpasses at 15 intersections at Tk 4.5b

FE Report

The Rajdhani Unnayan Kartipakhya (RAJUK) is considering construction of overpasses at 15 intersections at a cost of Tk 4.5 billion to bring the city's traffic jam down to a tolerable level.

Rajuk member (development) Mahboob Alam said this in a roundtable titled 'Awareness building on traffic situation in Dhaka' at Institute of Art and Culture (IAC) Friday.

IAC, a social advocacy institution, organised the programme in collaboration with Mercedes Benz to discuss about possible ways to overcome the gridlock and maintain the traffic rules.

The Rajuk member, who was one of the panel discussants of the roundtable, said the total budget for construction of the overpasses has been calculated on the basis of its recent two overpass projects at Gulshan-1 and 2. Construction of some more overpasses can reduce the gridlock in the city, he added.

Other discussants included chief executive officer of Eastern Bank Ltd Ali Reza Iftekhar, transport economist Ashraf Sarkar, CEO of BTI F R Khan, and taxi driver Mohammad Ali. Development consultant Dr Chanchal Khan moderated the programme.

Mr Iftekhar supported the Rajuk member and said the government can manage the necessary fund for construction of all the overpasses by realising fines duly from traffic rules violators.

Ashraf Sarkar, however, suggested introducing development charges for the street users, and said no transport plan can be successful without focusing on public.

He said RAJUK must identify the projects which may affect the city, and give necessary directions to take action against those after discussing with other authorities concerned, such as - Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority and Dhaka City Corporation.

The discussants admitted that the existing road network in the city is not enough to accommodate growing number of vehicles and population in the city.

Capacity of the city roads can be improved by taking some immediate measures, they also said.

They emphasised recovering roads from illegal parking and grabbing, and said a combination of short, mid and long-term plans can give the city dwellers relief from the chronic deadlock.

They also focused on providing proper training to drivers and traffic police, and said self-consciousness of each individual can also play a role in this regard.

IAC also launched an art exhibition titled 'The stilled journey of life' after the discussion. Communication Minister Obaidul Quader inaugurated the exhibition.

Source: Financial Express

RAJUK mulls overpasses at 15 intersections at Tk 4.5b

The Rajuk member, who was one of the panel discussants of the roundtable, said the total budget for construction of the overpasses has been calculated on the basis of its recent two overpass projects at Gulshan-1 and 2.

Source: Financial Express

So Rajuk did finalize the two flyover projects at gulshan 1 and gulshan 2.

So Rajuk did finalize the two flyover projects at gulshan 1 and gulshan 2.

Well, I don't know. I haven't seen anything on Rajuk's website or the web. By overpass, do they mean an overpass for pedestrians or for vehicles?

I know that there is a flyover planned for Sonargaon/SAARC Fountain intersection (RAJUK), Moghbazar-Mouchak (LGRD by 2015), Bijoy Sarani to Tejgaon (RAJUK), Gulistan to Jhilmil (RAJUK) and possibly others?

And it looks like, foot overbridges (for pedestrians) are planned for Gulshan-2 Circle and Gulshan-1 Circle.

http://www.rajukdhaka.gov.bd/rajuk/developmentHome

So Rajuk did finalize the two flyover projects at gulshan 1 and gulshan 2.

Considering the budget, i.e. BDT 4.5 billion or BDT 450 crore, I think these are all foot bridges and definitely not flyovers.

Jatrabari-Kanchpur road to be made eight-lane: Obaidul

Narayanganj: The eight-kilometer Jatrabari-Kanchpur road will be upgraded into eight-lane in phases, Communications Minister Obaidul Quader announced while visiting the road on Tuesday.

“The work on 3.5 kilometres of Jatrabari-Kanchpur road is going on” he told the reporters while visiting the construction work of a circular road and a foot over bridge at the west side of Kanchpur Bridge in Sonargaon upazila of Narayanganj.

He said the Chinese government has sent a proposal to Bangladesh government to construct a tunnel on Jatrabari-Kanchpur road.

As per their proposal, the Chinese government will bear 80 percent of the total costs.

The minister said Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) has already agreed for constructing bridges alternative to Kanchpur bridge, Meghna Bridge and Meghna-Gumti bridge.

In response to a question, Quader said the government has taken an initiative to ease the traffic congestion on Karnaphuli bridge area in Chittagong. —UNB

Utility lines need relocation
. Mithun Kamal
The space of the construction work of the long-awaited Jatrabari-Gulistan four-lane flyover slowed down due to delay in relocating utility lines and demolishing the illegal structures.
WASA, DPDC, BTCL, and Titas did not relocate utility lines in time from the construction area despite instructions from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and the LGRD and Cooperatives ministry.
City Corporation has already written a letter to the secretary of the local government division on October 11 in a letter.
A meeting was held in the prime minister's office on March 15 directing different utility service providers to relocate service lines by June 15, but they did not do it, DSCC officials said.
DSCC again held a meeting on Monday presided over by the administrator of the corporation Zillar Rahman asking the
Chief Estate Officer to evict or demolish all the illegal structures without any further delay because those were hampering the construction work of the flyover.
"Necessary instructions had been given to the construction firm Orion Group to complete the work in time," Abu Alam Mohammad Shahid Khan, Secretary of the Local Government Division told The New Nation on Monday.
"No mercy would be shown to any official of the city corporation if he showed lethargy in his duty, he added.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the flyover on March 26 in 2013, three month ahead of scheduled time. Though the flyover scheduled to be completed by June 23 next. Alam said.
Project Director of the flyover Engineer Ashiqur Rahman said that the flyover was being constructed under Public- Private Partnership and all types heavy vehicles, including double deckers, will have access to the flyover after inauguration.

Source: New Nation

Build some small flyovers

Photo: SK Enamul Haq
O. H. Kabir, Hare Street, Wari, Dhaka
If we can build several giant flyovers in Dhaka, why can't we build a few small two-storied and three-storied flyovers to ease and tame Dhaka's terrible traffic jam?

Almost daily on our main and busy roads, hundreds of running vehicles such as buses, trucks, cars, CNG-run auto rickshaws, rickshaws, pushcarts, etc., halt abruptly at road squares, road crossings and road intersections several times. This creates terrible traffic jam and the sufferings of the people know no bound.

We feel it is imperative that our ministry of communications, Roads and Highways Department, RAJUK, DMP, DCC and others concerned sit together and consider constructing of small flyovers at 1) Airport road railway crossing, 2) Bangla Motors, 3) Eskaton rail gate, 4) Shahbagh, 5) Topkhana-Naya Paltan and 6) Nawabpur-English Road, for the smooth movement of traffic and relief of millions of people of Dhaka.

Source: Daily Star

I couldn't agree more.

Four-lane DEPZ Road opens to traffic in Jan
→ Staff Correspondent

Work on the upgrading of Nabinagar-DEPZ-Chandra Road into four lanes is going on in full gear. The photo was taken in Palli Bidyut area recently.
Work on the upgrading of Nabinagar-DEPZ-Chandra Road into four lanes is nearing completion to be opened to traffic in January, to a great relief for the travellers who routinely face nagging traffic jams on the important route.

Communications Minister Obaidul Quader recently directed the authorities concerned to finish the upgrading works meant for providing a four-lane modern transport corridor close to the capital.

The road, being developed at a cost of Tk 950 million, is expected to be completed in the next three months.

Mir Akthar Hossain Lt and MBEL-BERT (JV) are the implementing agencies for the prime minister’s priority project.

The project works began during the tenure of former minister Syed Abul Hossain.

The incumbent minister has made several prompt visits to the site of the project and asked the engineers as well as contractors to complete the works in time.

The work gets impetus and it is being done in quick succession after the minister’s directive.

Once the project is implemented, nagging congestion on the 16-kilometre road from Chandra to Nabinagar, at the gateway to the capital, will drastically come down, easing smooth movement of commuters who are now haunted by the ghost of gridlock.

Long-haul passenger buses and cargo freights bound for north-western districts of the country will also get respite after the projects ends.

During a recent spot visit to the area, this correspondent found that the installation of dividers was going on in full swing.

Engineers of roads and highways department said, “The work got dented for a while because of slow removal of electric poles, underground gas pipeline, telephone line, optical fibre cable and trees on either side of the road.”

As of September 5, almost 60 percent work has been finished, they added.

The authorities concerned have set a tight deadline of finishing the remaining 40 percent work by the next three months.

The contractors have been doing the work for the last 13 months since July 2011. As per the agreement, 55 percent work was said to have completed, but they have done 5 percent more.

So, the contractors hope they would be able to perform better and finish the work within the stipulated timeframe as the key work on land settlement is over.

Each lane on the 16 kilometre road will have 7.3 metre width.

Of the total road length, eight kilometre road has 3.7 metre will be used as service lane for non-motorised vehicles.

The project also covers six bus stands, two bridges, 17 culverts, two footbridges and 10km drain and footpath.

Besides, there are two by-lanes at Nabinagar and two intersections — one at Nabinagar and the other at Baipail.

Construction workers said the work was slightly hampered in the rainy season. But they are working day and night to quickly finish the remaining work.

Sabuj Uddin Khan, executive engineer of Manikganj Roads and Highways Department, said approximately 16,000 vehicles ply the road on average daily. As the Dhaka EPZ lies across the road, vexing traffic jam forms on it.

It takes almost two hours to cross the area for congestion, he told this correspondent, adding: “After the incumbent government returned to power, it took an initiative to upgrade the road into a four-lane highway to this end.”

“The project work is going on in full gear. Satisfactory progress is in sight. The road is programmed for completion by December and opening to traffic in January,” Sabuj said.

Source: Daily Sun

Only two cos seek BRTA’s permission to run taxicabs

Shahin Akhter

Only two companies applied after the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority invited applications for the second time from companies aspiring to operate taxicabs in different cities of the country.
Nofel Motors Limited and Bangladesh Environmental Vehicle Company Limited submitted their applications to the BRTA on Thursday, the last date for submission of application.
BRTA issued a notification on June 13 this year asking taxicab companies under the Taxicab Service Guideline, 2010 to apply for getting permission within June 21 to operate 4,740 air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned taxicabs in Dhaka metropolitan areas and its adjacent areas including Narayanganj, Savar, Tongi, Munsiganj, Dohar municipal, Mawa ferry terminal, Joydevpur interjection to Gazipur municipal area and Aricha/Paturai area of Manikganj, 320 in Chittagong metropolitan to Cox’s Bazar district city and 200 in Sylhet metropolitan city.
It was said the permission would be given to maximum five companies to run taxicabs in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet cities.
According to the notification, the eligibility for the permission included the companies should have Taxpayer Identification Number and Tk 2.5 crore’s paid-up capital, personal depot/parking garage/space, opportunities for maintenance of the taxicabs, radio communication and drivers.
The taxicabs should be AC or non-AC motorcar, station wagon and microbus which would be driven by patrol, CNG or diesel. These vehicles’ minimum engine capacity should be 1,500CC, it said.
BRTA director (engineering) Mohammad Saiful Hoque told New Age on Thursday that two taxicab companies submitted applications to them.
‘We invited tenders for the first time in June this year,’ he said and added that as only one company had applied, they extended the time for submitting tender to October 18.
Till now two companies have applied for permission to operate taxicab, he informed, adding that they would evaluate the applications within a few days.
Nofel Motors Limited director Esmet Ara Jasmin told New Age on Thursday that the authorities should extend to the taxicab companies more cooperation.
‘I have been running after this tender for eight months but there is no solution yet,’ she said and added that lengthy process was one of the main problems which discouraged people to come to submit their applications.
According to the BRTA there were about 20 to 30 taxicab companies in the country.

Source: New Age

‘40 pc of Purbachal link road construction completed’
. BSS, Dhaka
The construction of Purbachal link road, a gateway of the capital the northern and the eastern regions has been completed by 40 percent. Rajdhani Unnayana Kartipakkha (RAJUK) is implementing the project at a cost of Taka 350 crore.
Construction of the 300-feet wide road started in October 2011 and is scheduled to end in April 2013. The authorities have already completed construction of bridges and other infrastructures on the road by 80 percent. The new road will drastically improve the capital's communications with Chittagong, Sylhet, Narsingdi and other northern districts.
It will help industrialization in Rupganj of Narayanganj and Kaliganj of Gazipur. RAJUK Chairman Engineer M Nurul Huda said the capital has four gateways to enter from 64 districts. There are Jatrabari, Mohakhali, Aminbazar and Buriganga Bridge. The Purbachal link road will be the fifth link road, he added The total length of link road will be 13 kilometers-6.5 kilometers from Kuril flyover to Balu river and 6.5 kilometers from Balu river to Shitalakkha river.

Source: New Nation

Kuril-Purbachal Flyover finishing up:

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The picture you have posted today is very nice. Kuril Flyover is very important for Dhaka as well Purbachal. If possible post some latest photos of Purbachal Project. Thanks. Monir Khan

tunnel for Dhaka? Is that something new?
Anyways, jason.kazi, I believe that we are now at a critical period of time in regard to the progress of our roads and flyovers. Your work here is very laudable. Keep the brilliance up! m))

The picture you have posted today is very nice. Kuril Flyover is very important for Dhaka as well Purbachal. If possible post some latest photos of Purbachal Project. Thanks. Monir Khan

There is nothing to really see at Purbachal. It's a bunch of empty land, basically. Project isn't expected to be ready for plot handover until late 2014.

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Bird's eye design view of Jatrabari flyover and Kuril Flyover

Does anybody know where this Dhaka flyover is? This is the location for one of the tasks in next Sunday's episode of The Amazing Race. It was filmed on June 4th, 2012.

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Does anybody know where this Dhaka flyover is? This is the location for one of the tasks in next Sunday's episode of The Amazing Race. It was filmed on June 4th, 2012.

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I think its the one under construction in Kuril (the one pictured on the right of the previous post)

The Kuril flyover was indeed featured on this episode.

Thanks Naveedm and Jason!

Jahangir Gate-Rokeya Shoroni tunnel in limbo due to BAF's objection

Munima Sultana

The proposed Jahangir Gate-Rokeya Shoroni tunnel has been shelved amid objection of the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) to let pass the underground road through the old airport area on security reasons.

Officials said the objection came when the feasibility study on the tunnel was about to be completed.

They said the BAF considers the tunnel a threat to their security, though there are hundreds of tunnels in and around many reputed national and international-level airports across the world.

The Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) planned the tunnel in 2010 to lessen traffic pressure along the Old Airport Road, particularly at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and avoid waiting at signal points.

The authority has appointed SMEC Consultant to conduct the study under the Dhaka Road Tunnel Study Project along with study on Karnaphuli tunnel. The draft study was submitted in August 2011.

The officials said construction cost of the planned 75-metre-long tunnel was fixed at Tk 125 million.

The steering committee on transport also emphasised construction of the tunnel, removing all traffic signals from Hazrat Shahjalal (R) International Airport to Shahbagh, considering frequent signals as one of the major reasons behind acute gridlock.

The Dhaka Transport Coordination Board showed that the city experiences the highest number of vehicular movements on Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue in absence of any east-west connecting road. Some six big intersections on the same road also deteriorate the traffic situation.

The officials said as objection came from the BAF, the authority is now considering shifting the tunnel from the airport area and constructing it along the feeder road that crosses in front of the PMO to link with Rokeya Shoroni.

With the latest objection, implementation of the government's two projects faced hindrance.

Earlier, the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line-3, also known as metro-rail, faced a blow after armed forces objected in allowing the elevated rail-track cross Bijoy Shoroni.

Due to the objection, route of the MRT line-3 was changed towards Khamarbari, delaying the project time by more than a year and increasing its cost.

Source: Financial Express

Banani rail-crossing flyover

Recently, the construction of the flyover across the railway track at Banani-VIP Airport road has been completed. But it appears that the height of the flyover above the railway may not be enough to avert a human disaster, as hundreds of passengers travel on rooftop of trains.

In the USA a 15ft clearance above the road level is the standard practice, but in our case the actual height must be considered. Once the flyover is complete, nothing can be done to correct the lapse.

We hope the railway authority should look into it considering the huge number of roof-top travellers who avail of train journeys during the Eid holidays.

Source: Financial Express

Kuril Flyover Construction (Oct 2012)

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Launch probe into road accidents: Obaidul

WEDNESDAY, 31 OCTOBER 2012 AUTHOR / SOURCE: UNB
DHAKA, OCT 30: Communications Minister Obaidul Quader on Tuesday directed the authorities concerned to launch a probe to ascertain why road crashes have made an unusual rise across the country. The directive came at a meeting on ‘The review of the progress of all projects being implemented by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under roads and highways department’ held at Communications Ministry with Obaidul Quader in the chair. Talking to reporters after the meeting, the minister said all roads and highways across the country will be brought back into shape for vehicular movement within the next six months.
Quader said the under-construction Mirpur-Airport Road flyover through Dhaka Cantonment zone will be opened to traffic by early March next, and the overpass and the connecting bridge at the Banani level crossing to be inaugurated by December 12 this year.
He mentioned that the ADB is providing TK 2,500 crore for implementing 146 projects under the communications sector.

Gazipur-Airport rapid bus service
Project proposal sent back to RHD for further clarity

Munima Sultana

Dissatisfied over the design of the rapid bus transit route, the Planning Commission has sent back the project proposal to the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) for the second time.

The route, to be built under the Greater Dhaka Sustainable Urban Transport Project with the financial and technical support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is aimed at launching a dedicated bus service, the first of its kind, on the Gazipur-Airport corridor.

Officials said the Project Evaluation Committee (PEC) of the Planning Commission in the second meeting stumbled upon the fact that the project design showed the 20-kilometre route as four-lane at some points and two-lane at some other points. But there was no explanation on the changes in the design.

"In the design, at some points the route has been proposed to be two-lane and at some other points, four-lane without clearly indicating the volume of traffic at different stations," said an official who attended the meeting.

The Planning Commission called the second PEC meeting on October 11 last as the committee had not been satisfied with the development project proposal (DPP) on the route placed in the first meeting on May 23 last.

Earlier, an ADB-appointed consultant conducted the feasibility study on the route in consideration of the rush of passengers on the corridor and found it suitable for establishing a dedicated bus lane to connect the capital city with the suburban towns of Tongi and Gazipur.

It, however, identified a number of hurdles to widening the road at some points because of non-availability of enough spaces for establishing two+two lanes.

Under the design, the Gazipur-Airport corridor will have a two-lane road from Gazipur to the Tongi Cherag Ali Market but it will have a four-lane road from the Tongi Cherag Ali Market to the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

The officials said the Planning Commission asked the project implementing agency to make the design clear in the DPP by including a map and submit it again for approval of the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC).

It also directed the agency to highlight the success stories of rapid bus services introduced in different countries as remedies to traffic jams so that the plan can be incorporated in the sixth five-year plan, keeping in mind its objective and goal.

The rapid bus route from Gazipur to the airport has not been included in the Strategic Transport Plan (STP), under the 20-year policy guideline for the city's transport system which was formulated in 2005. But it was approved in 2009. The government took the initiative to extend the STP-proposed Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) line-3 upto Gazipur with the ADB support.

Finding the corridor feasible, the bank also gave assurance of providing US$ 160 million to establish it which eventually will connect with the BRT line 3 from the airport to Sadarghat likely to be implemented with financing from the World Bank.

However, experts said efforts were made to design the Gazipur-Airport corridor with four lanes dedicated for buses -- two lanes on each side. But it could not be done in the absence of enough spaces at some locations, which led the design consultants to consider elevated lanes at certain points to help avert the hassle of land acquisition.

Source: Financial Express

Hi-tech number plates launched

Wed, Oct 31st, 2012 6:51 pm BdST

Dhaka, Oct 31 (bdnews24.com) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday launched retro-reflective number plates with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, and digital registration certificates (vehicle ownership card) aiming to bring discipline and improved services in the sector.

She said that the country's transport sector had entered a new era with the introduction of the retro-reflective number plates with radiofrequency identification tags.

She also expressed hope that the system would ensure transparency in and accountability of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), besides raising its capability and efficiency.

About the new system, the Prime Minister said at a function at the Prime Minister's Office, "The digital system has been introduced to ensure facilities for all including vehicle owners, drivers, controllers and the law enforcers."

With the introduction of the system, she said the owners of automobiles and passengers would be free from many hassles. "It will be of help to know how many vehicles a person owns."

Hasina thanked the Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory (BMTF) for its cooperation to launch the system.

She also urged the people to abide by traffic rules and directed the Communication and Home ministries to generate mass awareness about the rules.

In this connection, she stressed the need for educating the school students first about the traffic rules.
Laying special emphasis on awareness among the common people about the traffic rules, the Prime Minister urged the countrymen not to take law into their hands after any road accident.

"Don't take law into own hands after any accident … don't beat anyone," she said.

Communications Minister Obaidul Quader, Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory (BMTF) Chairman General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan and Acting Secretary of the Roads Division M A N Siddique also spoke on the occasion.

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BRTC to import 500 buses, 1000 trucks from China

Munima Sultana

Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) plans to import at least 500 buses and 1000 trucks from China under its soft loan arrangement to improve public transport services for both passengers and transportation of goods.

Officials said the import plan has been taken as most of the BRTC buses will be unfit for use within a few years like its trucks.

BRTC, on an average, can ply only 150 trucks for carrying goods regularly. The lifespan of majority of the BRTC trucks has already crossed 20 years and these were dumped.

"As majority of our buses and trucks are beyond 15 to 20 years' old, plying of those vehicles on the road has become expensive due to frequent overhauling. For that reason, the BRTC wants to fill up the gap," said BRTC Director (technical) Adbullahel Karim.

He said the BRTC buses are being imported from China considering its low interest rate and price.

The director, however, said the technical team has attached due importance to the quality of the vehicles and will finalise purchase deal.

The ministry of communications earlier asked the BRTC to advise it about its plan to import buses and trucks in August last after receiving a number of proposals from the Chinese companies. Many delegations from Chinese companies and their local agents have met senior officials of BRTC and the ministry concerned.

Though there was an initiative to buy Indian trucks under the Indian credit line, the BRTC, however, considers the process would be time consuming as majority projects under the Indian loan support have already been approved or decided upon.

At present, the BRTC runs around 876 buses among its 1242 buses round the clock. Rest of the buses remain in its depots for regular maintenance or overhauling purposes. Some 65 buses have already been declared totally unfit for use. Among the corporation's 500 trucks, only 171 trucks are in service either partially or fully.

BRTC Truck Division which was established in 1971 supports the government in carrying foods, relief, fertilisers throughout the country through its fleet of 170 trucks. About 20% of government foodgrains are carried by these trucks. Truck service is also available for private hiring.

Though the corporation had been a loss-making entity few years back, the present management has reversed the situation.

Mr Karim said the BRTC cannot increase number of vehicles and employ more staff as per requirement on its own as per rule. It is authorised to run 1500 buses and 500 trucks with 5000 manpower.

The BRTC was empowered to employ 5000 people in 1989 against which it has now only 3000 staff.

However, the ministry officials said the BRTC is reluctant to import buses and trucks from India under the Indian $1.0 billion credit line though the ministry earlier sought their suggestion in this regard.

Besides, they alleged, the BRTC has also been reluctant to provide information on the position of the buses imported recently from China, Korea and India.

During the tenure of the present government, the BRTC has imported 275 Single Decker CNG buses under Nordiac Development Fund. Besides, it procured another 255 AC/Non AC CNG Single Decker buses under EDCF (Korean) loan. All these buses have already been running in different routes of Dhaka city and outside.

In 2011, the corporation made a deal with Asoka Layland to import 290 double Decker, 88 AC single Decker and 50 articulated buses under the Indian credit line. Of these, 290 double decker buses have recently been imported.

However the BRTC suggested the ministry to go for next purchase from China giving the names of two companies considering low rate of interest, extended period for loan repayment and low cost in repairing, maintenance and operation.

Source: Financial Express

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After years of walking through the dark, dank and dirty Karwan Bazar underpass that sent chills down one's spine, Dhaka City Corporation North, with the support of two private enterprises, have turned this much-needed mini-tunnel into a well-lit place for people to cross, admire the paintings and be welcomed by hundreds of butterflies (not real of course). We sincerely hope the 'Butterfly Cave' continues to be a pleasure to walk through. (STAR)

Owners, workers hail govt decision to replace Mishuk with CNG autos

Shahin Akhter

Owners and workers of three-wheeler Mishuk have welcomed the government decision to replace Mishuks with CNG- or petrol-run four-stroke three-wheelers in Dhaka city.
The decision came after the Mishuk owners and workers demanded their rehabilitation as the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority made city roads off-limits to Mishuks on January 1, 2012 as the route permit of the vehicles had expired on December 21, 2011.
The BRTA issued a notification on Friday saying that the government had decided to replace 2,696 Mishuks with the CNG- or petrol-run three-wheelers in Dhaka.
The notification also asked the Mishuk owners to submit their applications by November 11.
According to the notification, the eligibility for the permission includes the applicants’ being residents of Dhaka, authentic documents to prove ownership of Mishuk, which must have Dhaka metro numbers while no permission will be given for damaged chassis number.
The owners have to purchase auto-rickshaws within five months after getting BRTA approval and follow the CNG/Petrol driven 4-stroke Three Wheeler Service Policy, 2007 to operate these auto-rickshaws.
They will not be able to sell and hand over these vehicles to others within two years after getting the approval, it added.
Since January this year, the Mishuk owners and workers have being pressing their five-point demands which include providing them with route permits before replacing their vehicles.
They also urged the government to give the vehicles route permit for more 20 years, rehabilitate around 50,000 people dependent on the industry and hand over the Mishuks, which were seized by law enforcers.
Dhaka Metropolitan Mishuk Owners’ Association general secretary Mohammad Sarwar Hossian thanked the government for meeting their demand.
The association joint secretary, Mohammad Obaidul Haque, told New Age on Friday that the government decision to replace Mishuks with the CNG-run or petrol-run auto-rickshaws would protect the industry from destruction.
He, however, said the order not to sell or hand over the vehicles within two years after getting the approval was not acceptable, he said.
Dhaka District Auto-Rickshaws, Auto-Tempo and Mishuk Workers Union general secretary Mohammad Golam Faruque and Dhaka Metropolitan CNG Auto-Rickshaw and Mishuk Workers Union secretary general Shakhawat Hossian Dulal also hailed the government decision.
‘The Mishuk drivers were in miserable condition without job and now the government has rehabilitated them,’ said Golam Faruque.
He also said the passengers would also get more transports because of this initiative.

Source: New Age

RAJUK proposes 15 new overpasses


MONDAY, 05 NOVEMBER 2012 AUTHOR / SOURCE: FAISAL MAHMUD

Dhaka, NOV 4: The Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) has proposed constructing new overpasses at 15 intersections of the capital so as to reduce the city’s ever increasing traffic snarls to tolerable levels. The overpasses will be constructed at different points of Mirpur Road, Panthapath, Firmgate, Bijai Sarani, Tejgaon, Maghbazar and Mouchak intersections at a cost of Tk. 450 crore, RAJUK sources said. The city at present has three functional overpasses at Mahakhali, Khilgaon and Tejgaon. The Mahakhali and Khilgaon overpasses also serve as flyovers. The 800-metre-long Banani overpass is being constructed and will be open for use by March next year, sources said. Talking to The Independent, RAJUK member (development) M Mahbub Ul Alam said the proposed 15 overpasses would be “simple overpasses”.
Alam explained the difference between flyovers and overpasses, saying that a simple overpass is a bridge that crosses over a road or railway line without impacting traffic. On the other hand, a flyover is a high-level overpass, built above main overpass lanes, which can have extra ramps added to the existing interchanges, he added.
“We found that some of the main roads and four-way intersections have severe traffic gridlocks during peak hours of the day as the number of vehicles on those roads is much higher than their capacity,” he said.
Alam explained that as the roads cannot be widened, the only way of accommodating such large flows of traffic is to build overpasses at those points and channel out traffic through them.
“The proposed overpasses will be like two-storied roads at the busiest intersections. A lot of time is currently wasted at the traffic signals, but if the overpasses are constructed, then vehicles will not need to stop at the signals. Thereby, traffic gridlocks can be averted,” he said.
“We’ve estimated the cost of constructing those overpasses on the basis of the cost of the existing Banani overpass, which is under construction. It will be no more than Tk. 450 crore,” he added.
Alam said RAJUK plans and constructs the flyovers and overpasses in the capital, but the city corporations look after their maintenance.
He also said RAJUK will chalk out the details of the projects which may affect the city and issue necessary directions for taking action in connection with these after holding discussions with the other authorities, such as the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority and the two Dhaka City Corporations.
Dr Saiful Amin, professor of civil engineering of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), said simple overpasses at the busiest intersections of the capital would be a good solution for reducing the capital’s traffic gridlock.
“There is no option but to go in for simple overpasses to reduce the traffic. A lot of time is being wasted at the traffic signals at some of the main roads. If overpasses are constructed at those points, then the traffic could be diverted through the overpasses and the signal time could be reduced, thereby ensuring a smooth flow of traffic,” he said.
Dr Amin added that some Indian cities, including Bengaluru, Mumbai and Chennai, have successfully reduced their traffic gridlocks by constructing simple overpasses at their busy points.

So they are not talking about Pedestrian overpasses like we assumed earlier.

I hope they don't get rid of the fountain in front of the Novotheater :(

A case for vertical expansion of roads

Md Shamsul Arefin in the third of his five-part article on the traffic situation of Dhaka city

The city's traffic jam is not a product of movement of people within the city only. Vehicles carrying long-distance or inter-district passengers sometimes generate congestion in the city. One inter-district/ international route travel generates dozens of paratransit trips creating traffic jam. For inter-district or international travels, passengers take ride to various airports, river ports, railway stations, bus terminals by different paratransit modes. Thus one inter-district or international route travel generates dozens of paratransit trips creating traffic jam. It needs to be minimised by introducing mass transit mode. These transit modes would not necessarily travel through door to door but travel through strategic locations or obligatory points to collect and dispose of passengers.

Locality-based mass transit system (MTS): In addition to the current practice of route-based mass transit, some localities need mass transit mode for their own areas. As some localities, especially posh areas like Gulshan, Baridhara, Dhanmondi and Old DOHS, have been designed for vehicular traffic within the suburbs, residents have personal vehicles which only contribute to traffic jams in the arterial road systems. Therefore, high class mass transit modes may preferably be introduced in those areas.

Besides, it is comparatively difficult to avail public transport from these areas. For performing daily chores like retail shopping, going to fish/meat and vegetable markets, residents have to depend on personal transport in the absence of any mass transport. As such, Locality-based mass transit system (MTS) may be introduced in these areas. Some form of restriction may be imposed on them to control pressure on arterial roads.

Construction of elevated expressway: Due to dearth of land in the city, an approach towards the strategy of vertical expansion of roads is essential. Therefore, construction of multilevel elevated road is necessary to segregate different modes of transport. On upper levels, private modes may be allowed to run. Provision of exclusive level for goods and freight should be carefully weighed against where rail transport is not available. However, where multilevel expressway is not warranted due to fewer car populations but existing deficient road infrastructure hinders mobility, single-level elevated expressway needs to be provided there only for mass transit purposes. In such cases consideration of multilevel elevated expressway should be incorporated at foundation construction stage; otherwise, mistake at this stage might be irreversible.

The elevated expressway that carries mass transit should run in such alignment that all major localities of Dhaka city should be within one kilometer of the routes. This alignment issue is a very crucial factor if exclusive right-of-ways for elevated MTS are considered. To facilitate this proposal, some major terminal points like Farmgate, Gulistan, Malibagh, Mirpur 10, etc should have underground terminal facilities including fuelling stations, mechanical workshops, parking facilities, control stations etc. At these locations, route changing facilities at underground level also need to be provided.

At all stops on the elevated expressway, where commuters need to have pedestrian crossing facilities, these places should be furnished with strictly maintained signalised pedestrian crossing (SPC) facilities to ensure that both the pedestrian and vehicular traffics are well regulated. Soon after arrival of buses from both directions, the SPC phase would be activated so that two-way movements of pedestrians can take place at the same time. Such arrangement will maximise the utilisation of allocated timing for SPC phase.

Noise and air pollution need to be minimised at the elevated expressway. For reducing noise pollution, Open Graded Asphalt (OGA) or Open Graded Porous Asphalt (OGPA) may be used as a wearing course to provide low surface noise characteristics. For minimising air pollution rechargeable electric or hybrid MTS may be introduced.

Reversible lane arrangement: It has been observed that in some arterial roads with variation of time, one side of a road experiences tidal flow of traffic while the other side has less traffic. As such, fixed median barrier should be replaced with moveable median barriers but these must conform to safety shape configurations. Such reversible lane arrangement might be effective one to reduce traffic jam to some extent, but it might be necessary to change the median barrier more frequently with properly designed signs and signals. Intensive field surveying is necessary to implement such arrangements.

For better management of the vehicles, lane control signals might be placed over the roadway at regular intervals to indicate which lanes are allocated to which travel direction.

Mechanical device for movement of passengers and pedestrians: At all places, for climbing up and down purposes on elevated road or from underground to surface level as it is proposed on different grades, it is difficult to climb up but for economic constraints, it is not feasible to install escalators. Therefore, a new technology needs to be tested and calibrated before installing them for climbing up movement of the passengers and pedestrians. In this regard, a spring system may be placed underneath each metal tread. This would work on the principle of energy release behaviour of spring when it gets suppressed under loads. Thus upward thrust by spring system would lessen to some extent the exertion of passengers while climbing up. Climbing up in such mechanical device might be difficult as passengers might get off-balanced. Therefore, the stairway should be divided into several individual paths with handrails on both the sides and the number of required paths should be determined by survey. For climbing down movement normal staircase will serve the purpose.

The ascending and descending commuters should not be mixed up. Hence, the movements of ascending and descending commuters need to be carefully controlled and regulated. Moreover, provision for wheel chair users' facilities should be incorporated at the main terminal points, at the least.

Encouragement of small-sized vehicles: Japanese and western cars are mainly designed to run on the roads where design vehicles are cars, primarily in the city areas. Therefore, small-sized cars should be encouraged as a private mode to accommodate more cars within a smaller area, though strictly to a limited number. The mass of smaller cars being low, probability of inflicting higher degree of severity in the case of an accident is lower than those of larger cars with the same speed. Moreover, small cars are convenient in city areas for mobility. In addition to that, if car population is allowed to grow to 5.0 million, that would account for per capita car population being 0.03. Still, it is likely that land scarcity would not permit to expand road network system to support this number of private mode. Dhaka has 44.41 per cent of the total number of motor vehicles registered in the country. Therefore, Dhaka City's share would stand at 2.22 million cars regardless of other vehicles, if car population is allowed to grow to 5.0 million in the whole country.

Determination of sustainable highest population density for effective and successful MTS: For effective MTS in all big cities, especially for Dhaka, determination of sustainable maximum working and dwelling population density is necessary for all residential, commercial, industrial areas and where mixed land-uses are being made. Otherwise, all utility and access facilities is doomed to be unsuccessful. This initiative would help to calculate the ultimate space necessary for required road infrastructure.

Public MTS should get priority in all controlled intersections: Public mass transports like buses and mini-buses should get priority in all controlled intersections, like signalised intersections. But in reality, it is easier to stop buses while small vehicles like cars can easily sneak away. Against this backdrop, traffic police are seen in many cases to prefer buses to initiate stopping phases. But for encouraging public mass transport the scenario should need to be opposite - public mass transport should get priority in all intersections. Therefore, a new rule needs to be formulated so that in all city roads a suitable lane should be dedicated at intersections for public mass transport and they should get priority over other modes except emergency vehicles. For example, left lane may be allocated for a length of 50 metre with duly signing and marking at the intersections. Field observation and trial run might give a better idea in this regard and length might vary depending upon number of mass transport modes, peak hours, off-peaks, holidays etc. All other running vehicles would move to other lanes. This arrangement would block left turning movement of other vehicles since a section of left lane has been chosen as dedicated road segment for mass transport modes.

A separate traffic signal phase arrangements need to be incorporated for mass transport modes at intersections. Once the mass transport modes would cross the intersection through separate signal phases allocated for them in all legs of an intersection, then other vehicles can be allowed to fill in the vacant lanes earmarked for mass transport. Computerised vehicle actuated signals would give more pragmatic phasing while coordination among the individual intersections could provide top priority to the mass transport modes; thus travel time of the mass transport could be minimised.

The writer is a traffic-cum-road

safety engineer.

himu120@yahoo.co.nz

Source: Financial Express

Roads need to be realigned and pedestrian facilities developed

Md Shamsul Arefin in the fourth of his five-part article on the traffic situation in Dhaka city

Construction of elevated expressway might encourage greater use of private modes and could promote higher speed environment that might result in increased accident rate and severity. To minimise accidents the private modes should be allowed to travel on as minimum path as possible before entering into or leaving from elevated expressway. Therefore, controlling of private modes from travelling across locality is necessary for safe and efficient road traffic system in Dhaka city, particularly in the areas where street space is inadequate. This measure is also important to regulate and control private modes as they appear from numerous alleys all on a sudden in the city which results in inefficient traffic movements and poses safety hazards. Hence, the construction of multi-storied/high-rise parking facilities is necessary for accommodating private vehicles of a locality. These locations need to be strategic ones to offer minimum travel path from on-ramp/off-ramp of the elevated expressways.

In addition to that service facilities like gas station, petrol pumps that generates vehicular traffic should need to have multistoried/high-rise parking facilities so that the existing road pavement should not be encroached upon by waiting vehicles for fuelling. These multistoried filling stations would serve dual purposes - as a fuelling station and as a private parking area. Therefore, it needs to be cautiously designed for fire safety. In case of space constraints for constructing ramps or aisles for multistoried car parking facilities, mechanical car parking provisions may be given preference as and where necessary.

Relocation of shopping malls and institutions on major intersections: Traffic generating centres like shopping malls and institutions (e.g. universities) on major intersections or on major roads might need to be relocated. It has been observed that when the centres remain closed traffic congestion eases tangibly in these areas. In this regard, it is also recommended to cancel all under-construction institutions or other facilities on the arterial roads that would generate substantial number of traffic. Moreover, restriction should be imposed on existing social facilities (community centres) located on the arterial roads or intersections to facilitate smooth, efficient and safe traffic movements.

Banning residential building-cum-shopping centres: Shopping centres at lower floors of residential apartments should be banned as they create traffic jam. The city is already flooded with shopping centres. This is only aggravating traffic jam problem. There are many such residential apartment-cumshopping centres while many more are under-construction. The government should take up immediate step against it.

All high-rise residential buildings should have their daily basic need facilities at the ground or even at basement floor - like grocery, laundry, basic medical facilities, so as to minimise their need to go outside for daily chores/petty shopping etc. Thus, all high-rise apartment buildings should be self-contained as far as possible.

The residents of Dhaka city are experiencing lack of amusement and recreational facilities. The ground floor high-rise apartment buildings may be furnished with seating arrangement and decorative furniture or small gardening like flowering in vases or tiny children's park might be featured there. But instead the ground/basement floors are being used as car parking lots which, in fact, creates an uncontrolled 'T' junction in most of the cases creating unsafe and inefficient road traffic environment in the city.

Re-alignment of corridors: Alignment of some important arterial roads, especially the corridor segment of the roads, needs to be realigned with direct alignment as far as possible. For example, KakraiI section on North-South Road needs to be realigned to avoid two intersections in close vicinity with one intersection only. Likewise, corridor between Malibagh intersection to Mouchak intersection is creating congestion problem in this area. Therefore, road alignment should be rectified with straight segment from Malibagh intersection towards Rampura Road which is essential to reduce severe traffic jam in this area and to increasing mobility of traffic.

For efficient traffic movement intersection of regular geometric shape is very much desirable. The examples of common regular shapes are T-junction, cross intersection and multi-leg intersections. In Dhaka city most of the arterial roads' intersections are either of T-junction or of cross-intersection type. In some cases, for example at Malibagh (T-junction) and at Moghbazar (cross-intersection), one minor road has been connected to both of the intersections/junctions and thus altered its regular geometric shape resulting in inefficient traffic movement. Hence, re-alignment and restoration of regular geometric shape is desirable though it requires a huge investment.

Incorporation of extra-lanes: One interesting feature of the Dhaka city is that almost all intersections are crowded with building infrastructures. Such installations contradict the basic tenet of Traffic Engineer Discipline by undermining the efficiency and safety of the whole road networks as intersections are the most delicate and crucial part of the whole road networks. Therefore, building infrastructures at all important intersections should be eliminated as far as possible. Moreover, to make more efficient traffic flow and increasing the capacity of intersections, additional lanes at these intersections need to be incorporated by providing Taper Flares.

Increasing road capacity and safety of vehicles: It has been observed that some median islands are much wide which narrows down carriageway width of roads. In addition to that for aesthetics and greenery purposes trees have been planted in these median islands. In the capital city every feet of carriageway width of roads is vital in reducing traffic congestion problem. Therefore, these median islands should be replaced with New Jersey Barrier system to increase the capacity of roads and for better safety of the vehicles as well, because Median islands aggravate the severity of accident of the errant vehicles while New Jersey Barrier system attenuate the severity of the striking vehicles.

Construction of raised platforms: The city is experiencing one of the worst safety records for pedestrians. But the authorities seem to be apathetic towards addressing this issue properly. This problem cannot be rectified within a short time, but it cannot be left out for long. It has been observed that most of the pedestrians make road crossing manoeuvres at or near intersections. If we can reduce the speed of vehicles at intersections, particularly at the strips of road sections where most pedestrians undertake crossing movements, it might be possible to reduce the fatal accidents. As such, in a bid to reduce the speed of moving vehicles before these strips of road sections, a raised platform (2 inch to 3 inch) can be constructed preceding the pedestrians' paths.

Aspects and perspectives of pedestrian traffic: Like the acquisition of land for the construction of ongoing flyover/elevated expressway, land acquisition and demolition of existing buildings might be necessary for new construction and improvement of existing pedestrian facilities in most of the cases. Still, whatever may be the predicaments standard pedestrian facilities need to be installed for continuity and proper connectivity from the main locality, at the least, to the interface of mass transit systems. Nevertheless, the necessity of safer paratransit modes is indispensable for successful mass transit system as well.

For improving pedestrian safety under the prevailing road traffic environment less innocuous mode of traffic need to be encouraged to run on the roads as paratransit modes. This approach would give an alternative solution to inadequacy of pedestrian facilities in the form of improving pedestrians' safety standard by introducing more harmless modes of paratransit - those having comparative low speed and light weight which inflict lesser degree of injuries in accidents.

As rickshaw is much harmless mode, it should be encouraged as a paratransit mode which covers greater part of the cities due to design considerations. Nonetheless, where car seems to be suitable as paratransit modes due to availability of required road infrastructures/design considerations in those areas it may be permitted, provided that these vehicular traffic need to be light and small-sized running at relatively low speed for pedestrians' safety reasons. But in all the cases the capacity of the roads and walkways need to be commensurate with sustainable highest population density. That is why, determination of sustainable highest population density is very much important.

The pedestrians may be classified into different groups depending upon particular behaviour of these classified groups. They are mainly: (1) children, (2) elderly people and (3) disabled people. Proper arrangements need to be incorporated in the designing of pedestrian facilities to fit in these different classes of people.

Connectivity for efficient public transport system: Introduction of mass transit system would not function effectively without well-designed walkways and road crossing facilities, as commuters will depend on access trip to mass transit or return trip mainly by walking. Accordingly, provision for efficient pedestrian movement is an integral part of the city's successful transport system. But as yet, no pedestrian circulation network exists in the city and in most of the cases the walkways are interrupted and mobility is hindered by deficient infrastructure. A grave deficiency has been observed in network continuity to the interfaces with public transportation system. Therefore, to encouraging mass public transport a properly and adequately improved and environmental friendly pedestrian walkways and crossing facilities are essential with standard lighting facilities. If walking facilities are not conducive and safe enough, it will be difficult to reduce car population as an occupant of a car is more secure than a pedestrian. Therefore, development and integration of footpath network with the Urban Transportation System is urgently necessary. Moreover, for equitable distribution of wealth/resources, the development of this facility is indispensable as the majority of personal trips are generated on foot, especially by the poor people. The design of pedestrian facilities should also cater for the need of all people including blind and handicapped people.

The writer is a traffic-cum-road safety engineer

himu120@yahoo.co.nz

Source: Financial Express

Proper traffic management can improve road traffic environment

Md Shamsul Arefin concluding his five-part article on the traffic situation in Dhaka city

The city's traffic management system should be designed catering to the need of all categories of people including facilities for the pedestrians. Accordingly, to assist blind people's walking on the sidewalk Tactile Pavement can be installed at the middle of the sidewalk. For their road crossing manoeuvre an audible and visible pedestrian signals and Tactile Call Boxes need to be installed at the pedestrian crossing points. There should also be Tactile Pavers with Flush Platform (textured) across the carriageway for providing guidance to blind people while Kerb Cut-Downs with Ramp facilities need to be provided for assisting wheel chair users.

Pedestrians' peril at the flyovers: Pedestrian safety concern is probably the most neglected issue in Dhaka city. It is quite evident from the design considerations for the sidewalk incorporated in the Mohakhali flyover. Walkways at both sides are designed with semi-mountable curb which is provided to hold back the errant vehicle by attenuating kinetic energy with the provision of mounting on the walkway in case of side impact - at the first stage while at the second stage, if the first stage provision fails, the rest of the impacting momentum is supposed to be absorbed by the longitudinal barrier of semi-rigid system with three continuous box-beams supported by strong posts. It is apparent that these two separate components act as a whole in the design to contain the errant vehicles in these two stages.

Walkway, as perceived by pedestrians, is actually an integrated part of Guardrail system - it is not a sidewalk. The design consideration of Mohakali flyover has disregarded pedestrian safety as pedestrians are sandwiched between errant vehicles and longitudinal barrier system. All these indicate that the provided facilities are not safe for pedestrian traffic.

Quandary of foot overbridge and under-pass users: Use of foot overbridge is not conducive for elderly people, handicapped persons and poor with head-load. A report published in early 2005 revealed that the majority of people do not use these foot overbridges due to inconveniences of traversing over these. Moreover, foot overbridges in existence have encroached footpath, forcing pedestrians to detouring on the road pavement that increases accident potentiality. Many of the existing foot overbridges are made of steel structures. A major alarming aspect of these structures is that the deck steel slab on which the pedestrians make movements are getting rusted and corroded as the time passes on. For example, one foot overbridge at Asad Gate near Dhanmondi Boys' School is posing danger to its users as deck steel slab has deteriorated to unsafe condition. The foot overbridge at Shahbag connecting Ibrahim Memorial Hospital with BSMMU has been corroded making holes on the deck slab. Therefore, foot overbridges made of steel structures should be maintained on a regular basis.

Similarly, the design of current under-passes is not good enough for pedestrian movement as it did not consider pedestrian traffic load and appropriate level of service. Nonetheless, it has been observed that under-passes are in more use than foot overbridges. The reason might be attributed to smaller vertical lift being offered by the under-passes than those of foot overbridges to facilitate movement of elevated vehicles. Apparently, these are not pedestrian friendly road crossing features.

Precast underpasses fitted with mechanical device to ease climbing-up movement of pedestrians should be installed at strategic locations, phase-wise, to ease pedestrians' sufferings for road crossing movements and discouraging indiscriminate road crossings behaviour.

Implication of Zebra-crossing: A Zebra-crossing is a western concept of traffic control measure in the form of regulation which provides pedestrian safety while crossing a road. At Zebra-crossings in the western countries a long queue of vehicles is formed to facilitate pedestrian crossing movement.

Zebra-crossings are seen on the carriageway of Dhaka city, but application is not in proper effect. Moreover, signalised pedestrian crossing has been installed in Dhaka city but it is not functioning. Furthermore, it may be very dangerous for a foreigner, who is acquainted with signalised pedestrian crossing in their countries, as these signals do not mean what they signal. They create confusion among its users.

Safety procedure for pedestrian facilities: Poor accessibility due to overcrowding and inadequate sidewalk and pedestrian crossing facilities are main problems for the pedestrians. The garments sector has now become the backbone of the national economy. The authorities should provide extra facilities for the pedestrians, particularly low income working class like the garments workers on the walkways. This section of hard working employees deserve covered shed for protection against rain and hail storm and sitting arrangements as a resting places on the walkways. These kind of facilities should specially be provided where majority of pedestrians are workers. Adequate lighting facilities need to be provided during night time while security of the pedestrians, particularly the women workers, have to be ensured.

Greenery and aesthetic versus safety: Median barriers have been constructed by median island system in most of the cases. And for aesthetics and greenery purposes trees have been planted in the median islands and sidewalks. Moreover, pedestrian refuge area at medians has almost been thickly planted, in some cases. Placard or bill boards are also responsible for obscuring visibility of traffic from the opposite direction. This has also created a hazardous situation for pedestrians' road crossing. It might aggravate accident in contrast to the New Jersey Barrier system which would attenuate the severity of accident. To cope with the situation New Jersey Barrier system should be installed in place of existing Median Island system.

Traffic safety is the primary issue while aesthetics and greenery are the secondary ones. Secondary issue cannot prevail over the primary issue. Moreover, trees at the Median Islands hinder movement of double-deckers in many cases. Their leaves are also liable to choking up pits and manholes to some extent causing water logging. Therefore, proper management of trees is essential if they are to be retained on both sides of road, but not at median - they may be located at the outer fringes of sidewalks. Gusty winds sometimes uproot trees in the city causing loss of life and property.

Parents' concern for the safety of their children: The parents of the school-going children, especially minors, are always in apprehension for the safety of their children against the backdrop of Dhaka city's unsafe road traffic environment. As such, parents are seen accompanying their children to schools.

Predicaments of narrow alley residences: The Dhaka City is criss-crossed with numerous alleys of different widths with intersections having irregular geometric shapes, creating road safety problem. The vehicular traffic menace has infused eeriness and inconvenience as pedestrians in the majority of residential areas have to share the carriageway space with the vehicular traffic. Traffic need to be allowed to ply in a particular locality according to the respective design traffic only as far as practicable. This approach is particularly applicable where design traffic is rickshaw. But ever-increasing car population has been escalating the accident potentiality and impeding mobility of traffic in those localities, mainly where design traffic is rickshaw.

In some roads, where design traffic is car, walkways are provided for pedestrians but these infrastructures are deficient due to lack of continuity, interruptions, and visibility problems. Furthermore, lack of appropriate rules and violation of existing rules result in very poor traffic management. Therefore, proper traffic management is one of the cardinal issues to improve the road traffic environment in the city.

The writer is traffic cum road safety engineer himu120@yahoo.co.nz

Source: Financial Express

BRTA starts setting retro-reflective number plates

Shahin Akhter

Officials of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority set retro-reflective number plates on vehicles in the capital on Wednesday. — New Age photo
The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority on Wednesday started setting retro-reflective number plates with radiofrequency identification tags on motor vehicles to improve services in the transport sector.
Retro-reflectivity materials have the ability to send most of light back to its source.
Radio-frequency identification is the use of a wireless non-contact system that uses radio-frequency electronic fields to transfer data from a tag attached to an object for the purposes of automatic identification and tracking.
The BRTA officials expressed the hope that it would be possible to set number plates on all existing motor vehicles within a year.
They said the government made it mandatory to use RR number plates and RFID tags.
It said during depositing fees for renewing fitness registration and any tax token fees for these number plates and tags have to be deposited with the designated branches of BRAC Bank, South East Bank and United Commercial Bank.
The prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, on October 31 inaugurated the system being operated and maintained by the Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory Limited.
The BRTA director (engineering), Mohammad Saiful Hoque, told New Age on Wednesday that the process to set up the number plates had started at the BRTA Mirpur office in the capital.
‘Today we called 115 owners of vehicles to our Mirpur office for setting the number plates on their vehicles,’ he said.
The director said at present 12 BMTF officials were working at the office for setting up the number plates.
‘After Mirpur, we will start the process at Ekuria and then gradually in the whole country,’ he said, adding that within a year the number plates would be set on 17,51,834 registered motor vehicles till June 2012.
Saiful said the manpower at its Mirpur office would be increased gradually.
‘We are hoping that we will be able to set up the number plates on 1,000 to 1,500 motor vehicles per day,’ he added.
At present there are 62 offices and 62 circles of the BRTA for all 64 districts.
The fee for a pair of number plate for motorcycle and three-wheeler vehicles (auto-rickshaws and auto-tempo) was fixed at Tk 1,805.
The fees for plates for heavy, medium and light vehicles including — buses, minibuses, trucks, tank lorries and cars — were fixed at Tk 3,652.
The digital plates have some other security features such as chromium-based hologram, a security digraph in Bangla and English on the plates with ‘BRTA’ written on them and the year of production of the plate printed by laser next to the serial number, and dry stamp on the plate’s back with BRTA emblem on the blank plate.
It will be easy for the law enforcement agencies to track any vehicle with its radiofrequency system while the retro reflective number plates will help identify a vehicle, detect fake number plates and use of the same number on different vehicles.
Meanwhile, the authorities had recently re-evaluated sales price and Value Added Tax for the retro-reflective number plates for commercial vehicles on transport owners’ demands.
The government has decided to collect only manufacturing price instead of sells price and not collect VAT at supplying period for commercial vehicles.

Source: New Age

Airport-Gazipur BRT route scheme set to get going early next year
ECNEC nod awaited; govt aims to ease jam

FHM Humayan Kabir
The US$ 245 million's worth 20-kilometre 'mass rapid transit' bus route project from Airport to Gazipur, first of its kind in the country, is going to start early next year as the Planning Commission is set to approve the scheme this month, officials said Friday.
Communications ministry officials said they were expecting approval from the government's highest economic policy making body, the ECNEC, within this month which will open the door to starting the road's construction work.
"We have provided all the required information and documents sought by the Planning Commission. Now the commission will place the project proposal before the ECNEC. And this will help begin the project's work," said a senior Roads and Highways Department (RHD) official.
He said necessary funds were ready as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the French donor AFD would make up for the major portion of the total costing of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route.
The ADB will provide the loan's segment worth $160 million, AFD $45 million, and the funding worth $4.6 million will be come from the Global Environmental Facility Fund.
The remaining funds of the total $245 million for BRT project will be provided by the government from its own coffers.
According to the design, the government will build the 20-km four-lane dedicated BRT route, where 15.50-km will be constructed on the surface of the existing road and 4.5-km will be elevated in the Tongi Bridge area.
The government has taken the initiative to ease the sever traffic jam in the fast growing Dhaka metropolis. As per the 20-year Strategic Transport Plan (STP) of the Dhaka city, this route will be the first mass rapid transit corridor of the city.
The Airport-Gazipur BRT project will be implemented by the RHD, the Bridge Division and the Local Government Division.
Once in operation, BRT will transport smoothly around 20,000 to 25,000 passengers per hour, the officials said.

A Planning Commission (PC) official said they are now ready to place the project proposal before the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) as the project evaluation committee (PEC) of the commission has already approved it.
The project implementers have recast the draft project proposal as per suggestions of the PEC in the last meeting on October 11, he added.
The government plans six metro-rail and bus rapid transit routes under an integrated mass traffic system in the Dhaka metropolis.
Government officials said the state-run Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) and the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) would construct three metro rail transit (MRT) and three BRT lines to ease traffic snarls in the busy metropolis.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the RHD conducted a feasibility study and recommended construction of the six routes in and around the city.
DTCA officials said primarily they would construct the 20.10-kilometre MRT-6 line from Uttara Phase-III to the Bangladesh Bank point at Motijheel via Farmgate.
Later, the DTCA will construct two other metro-rail routes: the 23-km-long MRT-4 line from Uttara to Sayedabad via former DIT and the MRT-5 circular line from Gulshan to Gulistan via DIT in the city.
Of the three other BRT routes, the authorities will build the 23km BRT-1 line from Purbachal to Sayedabad via DIT, the 14km BRT-2 line on the Gabtoli-Dhanmondi-New Market-Sayedabad route and the 23km BRT-3 line on the Uttara-DIT-Sayedabad route.

Source: Financial Express

Articulated bus' service this year

Shahidul Islam
bdnews24.com Correspondent

Dhaka, Nov 12 (bdnews24.com)— The government has decided to introduce 'articulated bus' service in Dhaka this year to ease public transport crisis.

Consisting of two coaches joined together, an articulated bus is generally 15-feet larger than the size of regular buses, with a capacity to carry passengers twice the regular buses.

Urban planners have, however, cautioned of a chaos in traffic if separate lanes are not established for the long buses.

Roads Division Acting Secretary M A N Siddique told bdnews24.com, Dhaka would see 25 to 30 articulated buses plying on the city's streets by this December.

"Order has been placed with India's Ashok Leyland Company for producing 50 articulated buses. The buses will be on roads by January (next year)."

"The bus is especially designed for carrying passengers in addition to its sitting capacity. It will work well as a mode of public transport," he said.

Bangladesh Road Transport Authority Chairman Ayubur Rahman told bdnews24.com the buses would have 58 seats each.

According to him, although the bus is of the size of two regular buses, it requires only 0.25 metre of extra space for taking a turn.

But Acting Director of Accident Research Institute of Bangladesh University of Engineering Technology Md Shamsul Hoque said the second part of the bus could collide with other buses if drivers were not well-trained.

He felt a dedicated lane should be constructed for ensuring a risk-free ride on these buses.

According to Wikipedia, articulated bus was first introduced in European countries in 1920, and their length ranges between 18 and 22 metres.

Roads Division's Siddique said lanes would be demarcated for vehicles plying on various routes by the middle of next year.

"Some roads in Dhaka will be selected for construction of by-lanes on either side."

The service would be increased if commuters found it comfortable and convenient, he added.

"If people respond positively, the bus may ply between Dhaka and its adjacent areas like Manikganj, Gazipur and Narayanganj also," Siddique added.

bdnews24.com/si/eh/nir/1635h

The BRT and Articulated Bus Service could go really really well or really really bad.

Purbachal Link Road work stuck halfway

DHAKA, NOV 14: The construction of the Purbachal Link Road, which would connect the capital to the northern and the eastern regions, has been 50 per cent completed. The developer Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) has been working on the project, at a cost of Tk. 350 crore. The construction of the link road is part of the 3.1-km Kuril flyover project that started in March 20, 2010, to connect the capital with Purbachal New Town.
An official said that the link road would connect Kuril on the Airport Road, which was already serving as a major gateway for northern districts to the city after the Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge (JMB) was opened for the public in 1997.
A 13-km long and 300-foot wide road is also being developed as part of the Purbachal project.
Construction of the 13-km road started in October 2011, after the start of the construction of the flyover and is scheduled to end in April 2013.
Eighty per cent of the construction work on the road has already been completed. The new road will drastically improve the capital’s communications with Chittagong, Sylhet, Narsingdi and other northern districts.
It will help the industries in Rupganj of Narayanganj and Kaliganj of Gazipur. According to RAJUK chairman M Nurul Huda, the capital had four gateways to enter from 64 districts.
Jatrabari, Mohakhali, Aminbazar and Buriganga Bridge were already there and the Purbachal Link Road would be the fifth link road, he added. The total length of the road would be 13 kilometers-6.5 kilometres from the Kuril flyover, to the Balu river, and 6.5 kilometres from Balu to the Shitalakkha river.
The Kuril flyover is being constructed from RAJUK’s Purbachal New Town Project fund, on an area of about 12.68 acres. Of the total land, about 10 acres belong to the Bangladesh Railway and the rest is private lands.
Three local consulting firms-Development Design Consultants Limited, the Consulting House and Divine Associates Limited-conducted the feasibility study and prepared the final design of the project.
The under-construction one-way flyover with four loops (two Y loops and two U loops) was 8.9 metres in width and 48 feet in height, the project official said.
Meanwhile, the exit points of the flyover were being constructed at Banani on Airport Road and at Pragati Sarani on the Purbachal Road, he said.
The flyover is said to ease traffic flow on the Kuril intersection and Airport Road, deal with the extra traffic due to the construction of the proposed Purbachal Link Road, reduce vehicle operation, maintenance cost and travel time, as well as, improve road safety.

Source: The Independent

The BRT and Articulated Bus Service could go really really well or really really bad.

I am thinking bad! our roads are not big enough to accomodate these!

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Now you don't need to wry about the traffic in alameda because http://www.alamedataxitowncar.com is the only taxi service will reach within 5 to 10 mins on your door steps ---

STOP SPAMMING!!

মগবাজার-মৌচাক ফ্লাইওভার নির্মাণ শুরু ডিসেম্বরে
১৮ নবেম্বর চূড়ান্ত চুক্তির পর দেয়া হবে কার্যাদেশ
বুধবার, ১৪ নভেম্বর ২০১২, ৩০ কার্তিক ১৪১৯

http://i47.************/23s9gr5.jpg

মগবাজার-মৌচাক ফ্লাইওভারের কাজটি শুরু হবে আগামী ডিসেম্বরে। ১৮ নবেম্বর এ বিষয়ে দুটি নির্মাণ কোম্পানির সঙ্গে চূড়ান্ত চুক্তি হবে। চুক্তির পর পরই কার্যাদেশ দেয়া হবে। ৭৭৩ কোটি টাকা ব্যয়ে ফ্লাইওভারের কাজটি বাস্তবায়ন করবে এলজিইডি। আগামী দুই বছরের মধ্যে ফ্লাইওভারের কাজ শেষ হওয়ার কথা রয়েছে। ফ্লাইওভারটি নির্মিত হলে রাজধানীর যানজট অনেকাংশে কমে যাবে। দুটি রেলক্রসিংয়ের ওপর দিয়ে ফ্লাইওভারটি নেয়া হবে। এতে রেলক্রসিংগুলোতে ঘণ্টার পর ঘণ্টা বসে থাকতে হবে না। তবে প্রকল্প শুরু হওয়ার আগেই মৌচাক অংশে অনিয়মের অভিযোগ উঠেছে। এই অংশে ২৬ কোটি টাকার বেশি দরের তৃতীয় সর্বোচ্চ দরদাতাকে নির্মাণ কাজ দেয়ার সুপারিশ করা হয়েছে। এই প্রতিষ্ঠানটি এক বিএনপি নেতার।
মগবাজার-মৌচাক ফ্লাইওভারের পিডি নাজমুল আলম জনকণ্ঠকে জানান, ফ্লাইওভারটি কয়েকটি ভাগে নির্মাণ করা হবে। প্রথম পর্যায়ে তেজগাঁও সাত রাস্তা থেকে শুরু হয়ে এফডিসি ঘুরে মগবাজার রেলক্রসিং পার হবে। এর একটি ‘লুপ’ হলি ফ্যামিলি হাসপাতালের কাছে নেমে যাবে। দ্বিতীয় পর্যায়ে বাংলামোটর থেকে মগবাজার, মৌচাক, রাজারবাগ পুলিশ লাইনে গিয়ে শেষ হবে। আরেকটি ধাপে রামপুরা রোড থেকে মৌচাক হয়ে শান্তিনগর গিয়ে শেষ হবে। তিনটি ভাগে নির্মাণ হওয়া এই ফ্লাইওভারের দৈর্ঘ্য হবে ৮ দশমিক ২৫ কিলোমিটার। মগবাজার ও মালিবাগ রেলক্রসিংয়ের ওপর দিয়ে ফ্লাইওভারটি চলে যাবে। ফলে দুটি রেলক্রসিং যানবাহন পারাপারে যে সময় নষ্ট হয়, ফ্লাইওভারটি নির্মিত হওয়ার পর এই সমস্যা থাকবে না। ফ্লাইওভারটি নির্মাণে সৌদি ফান্ড ফর ডেভেলপমেন্ট দেবে ৩৭৩ কোটি, ওপেক ফান্ড ফর ইন্টারন্যাশনাল ডেভেলপমেন্ট (ওএফআইডি) দেবে ২শ’ কোটি টাকা এবং বাকি ২শ’ কোটি টাকা দেবে বাংলাদেশ সরকার। গোটা ফ্লাইওভার নির্মাণে দুই বছর সময় লাগবে।
তিনি বলেন, আগামী ১৮ নবেম্বর ভারতের সিনেপ্লেক্স ও বাংলাদেশের নাভানা, চীনের এমসিসি-৪, এসিএল ইউসি কোম্পানির সঙ্গে এলজিইডির চুক্তি সই হওয়ার কথা রয়েছে। কোম্পানিগুলোর সঙ্গে চুক্তি হওয়ার পর অল্প দিনের মধ্যেই কার্যাদেশ দেয়া হবে, যাতে সঠিক সময়ের মধ্যে কাজটি শেষ করা যায়। ফ্লাইওভার নির্মাণের জন্য জনদুর্ভোগ যাতে কম হয় সে দিকেই খেয়াল রাখা হবে। এই ফ্লাইওভারটি মগবাজার এলাকায় গিয়ে তিনতলা বিশিষ্ট হবে। ফ্লাইওভারের ৮টি লুপ থাকবে। বিভিন্ন দিক থেকে যানবাহন ফ্লাইওভারটি ব্যবহার করতে পারবে। এভাবেই ফ্লাইওভারটির ডিজাইন করা হয়েছে। বেশি যানজটপূর্ণ এলাকা দিয়ে ফ্লাইওভারটি নির্মাণ করা হচ্ছে। এ সব এলাকায় মানুষকে ঘণ্টার পর ঘণ্ট যানজটে বসে থাকতে হয়। এ কারণেই এলজিইডি মগবাজার-মৌচাক নামে ফ্লাইওভার প্রকল্পটি বাস্তবায়ন করতে যাচ্ছে।
এদিকে একটি সূত্র জানিয়েছে, মগবাজার-মৌচাক ফ্লাইওভার প্রকল্পের মৌচাক অংশের নির্মাণ কাজ শুরুর আগেই অনিয়মের অভিযোগ উঠেছে। সর্বনিম্ন দরদাতাকে বাদ দিয়ে ২৬ কোটি টাকা বেশি দরের তৃতীয় সর্বোচ্চ দরদাতাকে নির্মাণ কাজ দেয়ার সুপারিশ করা হয়েছে। গত বছরের ২৬ সেপ্টেম্বর ফ্লাইওভার প্রকল্পের দরপত্র আহ্বান করে স্থানীয় সরকার প্রকৌশল অধিদফতর (এলজিইডি)। এতে মৌচাক অংশের ডব্লিউ ফাইভ প্যাকেজের জন্য ছয়টি প্রতিষ্ঠান অংশ নেয়। একই বছরের ২৩ নবেম্বর ছিল দরপত্র জমার শেষ দিন। এর মধ্যে সর্বনিম্ন দরদাতা তমা কনস্ট্রাকশন লিমিটেড ভারতীয় কোম্পানি হরিশচন্দ্র ইন্ডিয়া লিমিটেডের সঙ্গে যৌথ উদ্যোগে টিসিএল-এইসিআইএল জেভি কোম্পানি নামে দরপত্রে অংশ নেয়। তারা ৩০৩ কোটি ৯৮ লাখ টাকা দর প্রস্তাব করে। এটি সর্বনিম্ন দর হিসেবে বিবেচিত হয়। এলজিআরডি মন্ত্রণালয় ও এলজিইডি কর্মকর্তাদের সমন্বয়ে গঠিত দরপত্র মূল্যায়ন কমিটি সর্বনিম্ন দরদাতা হিসেবে টিসিএল-এইসিআইএল জেভির নামে কার্যাদেশ দেয়ার সুপারিশ করে। এই সুপারিশের ফলে সৌদি ফান্ড ফর ডেভেলপমেন্টের (এসএফডি) বেশিরভাগ টাকাই এখানে খরচ হয়ে যাবে। তবে এসএফডি প্রকল্পের কনসালট্যান্ট নিয়োগ না করে দরপত্র মূল্যায়নের ব্যাপারে আপত্তি জানায় এবং কনসালট্যান্ট নিয়োগ করে দরপত্র পুনর্মূল্যায়নের প্রস্তাব পাঠায়। প্রকল্পের জন্য কনসালট্যান্ট নিয়োগ দেয় এলজিইডি।

http://www.dailyjanakantha.com/news_view.php?nc=27&dd=2012-11-14&ni=115483

^^ translation any one?

^^
This is very exciting news for sure,This project can completely change the face of the Shantinagar-moghbazar-eskaton-mouchak area.We will just have to wait one month to see if they actually start construction work of this much needed 8km flyover project or not.

^^ translation any one?

Moghbazar-Mouchak flyover's work will start in December after the two companies come to a final agreement on Sunday. As soon as the agreement is signed, the work will be started immediately. The LGD will be in charge of the project. It has been said that the flyover will be constructed in two years, with the estimate time of completion being December 2014. After the construction of the flyover, the city's traffic jam will significantly be alleviated. The flyover will be built over two railway crossing junctions. Cars won't have to stop and wait for trains to go by. The flyover will be constructed in multiple phases. The first phase will be from Tejgaon Saatrasta to Maghbazar Rail Crossing via the FDC intersection. There will be an entry/exit ramp at the Holy Family Hospital area. The second phase will be from Bangla Motor to Rajarbagh Police lines via Moghbazar and Mouchak. Another phase will be from Rampura to Shantinagar via Mouchak. The total length of the flyover will be 8.25 km or 5.13 miles. Saudi Fund and Development of Saudi Arabia will contribute 373 koti taka, OPEC Fund for International Development will contribute 200 koti taka and the remaining 200 koti taka will be contributed from the Bangladesh government. On Sunday, an agreement will be signed by Cineplex (an Indian company), Navana (a Bangladeshi company), MCC-4 (a Chinese company). The flyover will be three-leveled (IDK how believable that is), have 8 loops. This flyover will ease some of the worst traffic of the city. And they go on talking about other companies that bidded for the project but the government find their plans good enough for their needs.

Thats the special thing about this moghbazar combined flyover project..its been stated from the beginning that it will have 8 lanes and will be two storied at some points.Now they have increased it to make it a 3 storied flyover.Should be interesting:)

^^
I don't see how all these flyovers are helping. Traffic (vehicular) congestion does not appear to have abated at all.

^^
I don't see how all these flyovers are helping. Traffic (vehicular) congestion does not appear to have abated at all.

I could see few different reasons for it:

1) Most of the flyovers mentioned in media and newspaper are still in planning or construction phase. I believe only couple of them are actually operational.. Hopefully Mirpur-Uttara, kuril and Jatrabari flyover will be completed in next 6 months or so.

2) The population of Dhaka city (thus automobiles) is growing at astronomical rate. Just think about it, whole of Gulshan and Banani used to be single or double storied residential area just a decade back. Now it's crowded with thousands of apartments, commercial highrises and restaurants.

3) Complete lack of automated traffic management system. I don't think there is any other major city that is like Dhaka in this regard. It's astonoshing how the DMP and City Corporation cannot coordinate to get an electronic signalling sytem in place, instead of relying on driver's judgement and traffic police!!

4) No Mass transportation system like Subway/Metro or articualted bus route,infact the city does not even have proper taxi cab service.

I am thinking bad! our roads are not big enough to accomodate these!

Depends on the articulation type and the route.

If the two or three articulated parts are each themselves no bigger than a regular bus then it shouldn't matter. After all if regular buses can navigate routes on certain roads one after the other then these can too. Some slight adjustments in lanes may have to be made for close-quarters-maneuvering such as bus stops.

Typically in larger Asian (China) or South American cities (Curitiba, Sao Paulo, Bogota etc.) articulated buses are used for airport-express route or BRT service nowadays. This may be the case in Dhaka as well.

This is one area of progress in Dhaka (mass transit & BRT) that I am happy with. Things are progressing nicely. This may even negate or make redundant the planned elevated rail which is way more expensive. In the case of Delhi BRT made quite an improvement in traffic. I wrote extensively on this for the last several years. The posts are there.

Depends on the articulation type and the route.

If the two or three articulated parts are each themselves no bigger than a regular bus then it shouldn't matter. After all if regular buses can navigate routes on certain roads one after the other then these can too. Some slight adjustments in lanes may have to be made for close-quarters-maneuvering such as bus stops.

Typically in larger Asian (China) or South American cities (Curitiba, Sao Paulo, Bogota etc.) articulated buses are used for airport-express route or BRT service nowadays. This may be the case in Dhaka as well.

This is one area of progress in Dhaka (mass transit & BRT) that I am happy with. Things are progressing nicely. This may even negate or make redundant the planned elevated rail which is way more expensive. In the case of Delhi BRT made quite an improvement in traffic. I wrote extensively on this for the last several years. The posts are there.

Brasilia has also placed good measures to reduce traffic.

Moghbazar-Mouchak flyover's work will start in December after the two companies come to a final agreement on Sunday. As soon as the agreement is signed, the work will be started immediately. The LGD will be in charge of the project. It has been said that the flyover will be constructed in two years, with the estimate time of completion being December 2014. After the construction of the flyover, the city's traffic jam will significantly be alleviated. The flyover will be built over two railway crossing junctions. Cars won't have to stop and wait for trains to go by. The flyover will be constructed in multiple phases. The first phase will be from Tejgaon Saatrasta to Maghbazar Rail Crossing via the FDC intersection. There will be an entry/exit ramp at the Holy Family Hospital area. The second phase will be from Bangla Motor to Rajarbagh Police lines via Moghbazar and Mouchak. Another phase will be from Rampura to Shantinagar via Mouchak. The total length of the flyover will be 8.25 km or 5.13 miles. Saudi Fund and Development of Saudi Arabia will contribute 373 koti taka, OPEC Fund for International Development will contribute 200 koti taka and the remaining 200 koti taka will be contributed from the Bangladesh government. On Sunday, an agreement will be signed by Cineplex (an Indian company), Navana (a Bangladeshi company), MCC-4 (a Chinese company). The flyover will be three-leveled (IDK how believable that is), have 8 loops. This flyover will ease some of the worst traffic of the city. And they go on talking about other companies that bidded for the project but the government find their plans good enough for their needs.

Thanks Jason. :cheers:

It is interesting to note that "official" bus stops in Dhaka have been added to Google Maps.

Govt mulls new truck terminal at Tejgaon

Staff Correspondent

The government is going to set up a truck terminal on Bangladesh Railways’ land in the Tejgaon industrial area, besides the Tejgaon Rail Station in the capital.
Railways minister Mohammad Mujibul Haque on Sunday said a new terminal would be constructed after the ministry would take control of its land in the area.
Mujibul Haque, communications minister Obaidul Qader and shipping minister Shajahan Khan visited the existing terminal on Sunday to take the next course of action over setting up the truck terminal aimed to ease traffic congestion in the adjacent areas.
They discussed among themselves the responsibilities of their respective ministries in the task.
Mujibul Haque said after investigation they found that some acres of land belonging to the railways had remained unused beside the Tejgaon rail station for long.
‘Recovering the land, we will set up a truck terminal, which the truck owners will be able to use legally.’
Obaidul Qader said, ‘I have urged the truck owners not to use this place for dumping used parts of vehicles and I do not want to see any illegal parking here.’
Shahjahan Khan, also executive president of Bangladesh Sarak Paribahan Sramik Federation, said since 1972 this place was being used as a truck stand.
‘We want to use this place as truck terminal while there is a big space besides the Kamalapur Railway Station, which could also be used as truck terminal,’ the shipping minister proposed.
The ministers also agreed to establish new rail lines on the Dhaka-Tongi route.
They urged the Dhaka North City Corporation’s chief waste officer Bipan Kumar Saha to clean the adjacent area of the railway station and the existing truck terminal.
Local lawmaker Asaduzzaman Khan urged the ministers to build an overpass in the adjacent area to ease traffic congestion.
BR’s divisional estate officer Ahmadul Haque told New Age that the railway had a total of 65 acres land in the Tejgaon rail station and adjacent areas.
The amount of land, being used as truck terminal at present, was about three acres, he added.
Divisional railway manager Sardar Shahadat Ali said they would try to finish their work within the shortest possible time.
In October this year the government decided to hand over a large chunk of public land at Phulbaria in the Old Town of Dhaka to the BSPSF for setting up a permanent bus terminal.

Source: New Age

Bus Rapid Transit gets go-ahead
Tk 2,040cr project on Airport-Gazipur route to be completed by 2016
Staff Correspondent
The government is going to introduce a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line by the year 2016 to ease traffic congestion on the 20-kilometre Gazipur-Airport road.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) yesterday approved the Tk 2,040-crore Greater Dhaka Sustainable Urban Transport project.

A statement of the planning ministry said the initiative would create a new public transportation system in Gazipur-Tongi-Uttara region making the route safe, environment friendly and free of traffic congestion.

The 4-year project also includes construction of 31 bus stops, a BRT depot, seven flyovers and the Tongi Bridge. Besides, 50 buses would be procured under the project which would operate on the route.

The project, alongside the works of Metro Rail, was supposed to start by this time as per the Strategic Transport Plans (STP), which designed for 20 years had been approved in 2008. The plans were to be implemented in four phases.

However, experts say the bus service would serve almost 92 percent commuters of the city, except for those having cars.

Yesterday's Ecnec meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair approved eight projects involving Tk 3,020 crore.

Under the BRT project, three development agencies, including the Asian Development Bank, will provide a loan of Tk 1,651 crore.

The project proposal said, a loan negotiation has been completed and an agreement would be signed after the Ecnec approved the project.

According to the project proposal submitted in 2005 under the STP, a study had been conducted with assistance from the World Bank. In the study, six corridors had been identified in Dhaka to ease the traffic congestion in the capital.

The study recommended establishing mass rapid transit or metro rail in three corridors and BRT in the other three.

A planning ministry official said a proposal for setting up the metro rail at a cost of around Tk 21,000 crore would soon be placed in an Ecnec meeting. Japan will finance about 75 percent of the project cost.

The Ecnec meeting yesterday rejected a proposal for constructing a link road from Mirpur Darussalam to Kochukhet at a cost of Tk 485 crore. According to the proposal, Tk 80 crore was assigned to construct the road while the rest of the money for compensating for the structures to be removed from the site.

The PM had objected to the proposal saying it needed further scrutiny, said the official.

The Ecnec yesterday approved another project, under which Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University would be modernised and its existing facilities would be expanded to convert the country's lone medical university into a centre of excellence. The project will cost Tk 526 crore.

Source: Daily Star

BRT vs TRT
Published : Friday, 23 November 2012


The proposed Tk 20.40-billion bus rapid transit (BRT) project covering 20-kilometre distance between Shahjalal Airport and Gazipur has been dedicated, according to official statements, to speeding up traffic. It has moreover been dubbed 'Bus Rapid Transit', first of its kind in the country. Its funds assured with Tk 16.51 billion as a component from foreign donors, the BRT line is expected to be completed by 2016. Any infrastructure categorised as mass transit would have been a cause for celebration but then it should explain its justification to the people who ought to be the real beneficiaries of such large projects. Here is a project that will cost Tk 1.0 billion a kilometer. And only a segment of roads or highways has been chosen for such massive expenditure that is unlikely to ease the city centre's pressure off. True, the city is expanding towards Tongi and Gazipur but then the rationality behind such investment in that particular segment cannot but be suspect.
First of all, road-dependent mass transit is an anathema, particularly for a country of Bangladesh's size with the world's densest population anywhere except in the city states. Gazipur is yet to develop as a satellite town and even if it did, the best course open to the administration was to go for investment in the railway and connect the two points - Gazipur and airport. The existing rail tracts would have made the task easier. The policymakers and implementers are reluctant to make big investment in the railway for strange reasons. But railway's all-round benefits are not unknown to them. For once they should put the country above petty politics and personal interests and help pull the country out of the traffic morass accounting for enormous man-hour losses.
Gazipur or for that any place nearby is yet to be a satellite town where people would like to live and take the advantage of the BRT. However, Gazipur could surely be the first candidate to be one. And instead of making this massive investment in this road project, it could be gainfully used for developing the existing rail tracks. That would have made more sense both economically, environmentally and in practical terms. The rail line's further extension up to the capital proper would have truly served as the communication link for mass transit. Road-dependent mass transit is nothing compared with the railway-centric one called train rapid transit (TRT). If Gazipur, Tongi or any other place nearby were developed as a group of satellite towns and they were interconnected by railway, pressure on the city's housing accommodation and traffic would have eased off to some extent.
The government-mooted idea of satellite town could have easily got the go-ahead from a project centring around Gazipur. Following Gazipur, the project could gradually be extended up to Munshiganj, Sonargaon, Narsingdi, Singair or Manikganj to name just a few. It is exactly the project with the potential to give the economy and productivity a much needed momentum. People would have preferred to live in such satellite towns and commute to the capital either for regular jobs or other businesses and the city would have a real chance of turning into a vibrant one like the great metropolis around the world.

Source: Financial Express

Deleted - double post

BRT vs TRT
Published : Friday, 23 November 2012


The proposed Tk 20.40-billion bus rapid transit (BRT) project covering 20-kilometre distance between Shahjalal Airport and Gazipur has been dedicated, according to official statements, to speeding up traffic. It has moreover been dubbed 'Bus Rapid Transit', first of its kind in the country. Its funds assured with Tk 16.51 billion as a component from foreign donors, the BRT line is expected to be completed by 2016. Any infrastructure categorised as mass transit would have been a cause for celebration but then it should explain its justification to the people who ought to be the real beneficiaries of such large projects. Here is a project that will cost Tk 1.0 billion a kilometer. And only a segment of roads or highways has been chosen for such massive expenditure that is unlikely to ease the city centre's pressure off. True, the city is expanding towards Tongi and Gazipur but then the rationality behind such investment in that particular segment cannot but be suspect.
First of all, road-dependent mass transit is an anathema, particularly for a country of Bangladesh's size with the world's densest population anywhere except in the city states. Gazipur is yet to develop as a satellite town and even if it did, the best course open to the administration was to go for investment in the railway and connect the two points - Gazipur and airport. The existing rail tracts would have made the task easier. The policymakers and implementers are reluctant to make big investment in the railway for strange reasons. But railway's all-round benefits are not unknown to them. For once they should put the country above petty politics and personal interests and help pull the country out of the traffic morass accounting for enormous man-hour losses.
Gazipur or for that any place nearby is yet to be a satellite town where people would like to live and take the advantage of the BRT. However, Gazipur could surely be the first candidate to be one. And instead of making this massive investment in this road project, it could be gainfully used for developing the existing rail tracks. That would have made more sense both economically, environmentally and in practical terms. The rail line's further extension up to the capital proper would have truly served as the communication link for mass transit. Road-dependent mass transit is nothing compared with the railway-centric one called train rapid transit (TRT). If Gazipur, Tongi or any other place nearby were developed as a group of satellite towns and they were interconnected by railway, pressure on the city's housing accommodation and traffic would have eased off to some extent.
The government-mooted idea of satellite town could have easily got the go-ahead from a project centring around Gazipur. Following Gazipur, the project could gradually be extended up to Munshiganj, Sonargaon, Narsingdi, Singair or Manikganj to name just a few. It is exactly the project with the potential to give the economy and productivity a much needed momentum. People would have preferred to live in such satellite towns and commute to the capital either for regular jobs or other businesses and the city would have a real chance of turning into a vibrant one like the great metropolis around the world.

Source: Financial Express

The proponents of train rapid transit (TRT) are still at it! If they had their way then they would try to establish that the sun rises in the West :)

The primary reason that BRT was such as success in various second and third world countries is because it uses a non-dedicated flexible pathway (road) and non-specialized equipment way cheaper than trains (buses). The lessons of Bogota (Colombia), Curitiba (Brazil), myriad Chinese cities and even Delhi are stark proof that BRT is effective. You don't need electricity to run BRT buses and they don't stop when you have a rolling blackout.

If you want to move people in a third-world city then there is no choice but to choose BRT first. Trains are wayyyy more expensive than buses - anyday and anytime!

Please look at the recent article in CITYFIX,

http://thecityfix.com/blog/brt-knowledge-sharing-in-asia-the-latin-american-way/

And the global BRT database showing traffic improvement figures in Asia.

http://brtdata.org/#/region/Asia

New addition to public transport

First 10 articulated buses hit Dhaka streets next month; 40 more to come.

A fleet of 10 articulated buses is set to hit the streets in the capital next month to ease the city's chronic transport problem.

Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) is importing the fleet from India under an Indian line of credit. Another 40 buses will be brought in January, said sources in BRTC.

Ashok Leyland is supplying the buses -- single-deckers that are longer than other buses, yet manoeuvre easily on the roads.

Also known as bendy buses, these vehicles comprise two rigid sections but can bend in the middle. They are popular in many countries for their higher passenger capacity.

The articulated buses will ferry around 130 passengers per trip from early morning to late evening every day. The likely routes are Mirpur-Motijheel and Uttara-Motijheel, the BRTC sources added.

A new ticketing system, like that in Western countries, will also be introduced. Passengers will have to insert coins or notes into vending machines on the articulated buses to get their tickets. The doors will not open until the machine reads the ticket. The system is expected to help stop passengers travelling free.

Iftekhar Ahmed, chairman of IFAD Autos Ltd, the firm that has won the import contract of the buses and is the sole agent of Ashok Leyland, said, "A special feature of this bus is that it will have higher standing capacity [70 persons] than the seating [58 persons]."

Each bus would cost Tk 84 lakh, excluding taxes, he added.

Asked if the vehicles would have difficulty negotiating the city's already crowded roads, Iftekhar said the buses would ply the roads without any trouble, as their two carriages are flexible enough for making turns.

Talking to The Daily Star, Communications Secretary MAN Siddique said that recently the buses had been run on trial on some Indian roads similar to the major thoroughfares of Dhaka.

"We can now say that there will be no problem in operating articulated buses in Dhaka," he added.

The secretary also said a select group of drivers were being sent to Kolkata to learn how to drive and maintain the buses.

Due to their higher capacity, bendy buses are often used as part of bus rapid transit (BRT) schemes. However, the government's planned BRT scheme is still at a primary stage.

To meet the growing demand of passenger transport in the country, the government in 2010 decided to import around 1,000 buses from different countries.

The first lot of 275 single-deckers was imported from China in late 2010, followed by 255 single-deck buses from South Korea in 2011.

Recently, 290 double-deckers have been bought from Ashok Leyland.

Many of the double-deckers are now operating in Dhaka, Chittagong and some other districts.

IFAD Chairman Iftekhar Ahmed said 10 more double-deckers would arrive in mid-2013 as the Indian company is supposed to supply 300 buses.

Also in the pipeline is a fleet of 100 air-conditioned single-deckers. "Ashok Leyland will start supplying the vehicles in January and complete it by June," he mentioned.

The state-run BRTC has a fleet of 1,263 buses including 399 double-deckers. The company's strength will grow with the arrival of the new vehicles.

Source:http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=258680

Foundation of underpass near BSMMU laid

DU Correspondent
Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Monday laid the foundation of much desired underpass linking BSMMU and Dhaka University (DU) to avoid further road mishaps involving pedestrians.
State Minister for Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) Jahangir Kabir Nanak laid the foundation stone. Among others, DU Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique, DSCC Administrator Md Zillur Rahman, were present on the occasion.
It may be mentioned that the city corporation authorities had promised the university students to construct an underpass linking Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) and DU following a violent protest.
The protest followed the tragic death of a DU student named Towhid Zaman of International Relations Department.
However, the university authorities and students have hailed the initiatives saying that construction of the underpass will certainly lessen such incidents.
DU Vice Chancellor Prof Siddique thanked the concerned authorities for the initiative and urged them to expedite its construction.
"Finally, we can pass the city's key intersection safely and without risk once the underpass will be constructed," said Munni, a postgraduate student of the university.

Source: Financial Express

Note: Dhaka South City Corporation has announced that the pedestrian underpass at Shahbagh Intersection will be completed in nine month's time

Airport Rd - Mirpur Flyover

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8337/8225847617_2ba7937789.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8490/8225846361_fe9e3d30c9.jpg

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http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8205/8226916588_41d42d2544.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8064/8226920978_536b258c61.jpg

*Photos from mid-September 2012. Flyover expected to be completed in Feb 2013*

^^
God I hope they wont break down!

^^^
lol, you just spoke my mind!

Well we can hope that the Army and Abdul Monem do a better job; since they have built quite a bit of infrastructure in the past.

Obaidul calls for 1,000 more taxicabs in city

Staff Correspondent

Communications minister Obaidul Kader and others cut a cake to launch new models of TATA Motors to be marketed by Nitol Motors in Dhaka on Wednesday. — New Age photo
The communications minister, Obaidul Quader, on Wednesday urged the Nitol-Niloy Group to launch 1,000 taxicabs in Dhaka city to lessen public sufferings due to shortage of transport facilities.
He also said that slow moving vehicles could not be removed from the highways due to influence of local politicians.
The minister made the remarks at the launching ceremony of Tata passenger car range held at Hotel Purbani in the city.
Tata Motors Limited and NNG jointly organised the programme.
The minister said that at present the citizens were facing enormous problems due to lack of transports.
He urged the NNG representatives to launch environmental-friendly 1,000 taxicabs in Dhaka city to lessen public sufferings and pollutions in the city.
About vehicles like ‘Nasiman’ and ‘Kariman’, he said that local politicians do not want to take any action against these vehicles as they feared that taking action against them could decrease the number of their votes.
In January 2013, 50 articulated buses would be launched in seven divisions while Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation would also launch more 40 Indian buses in Dhaka city, he said.
About recent accident at a flyover at Chittagong, he said that there was a tendency to finish construction work in a hurry for getting the bills quickly.
Speaking on the occasion, Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh, Pankaj Saran, said that Bangladesh was becoming a fastest growing market in South Asia region.
Abdul Matlub Ahmad, chairman of Nitol Motors Limited, said that at present 85 to 90 per cent cars in Bangladesh came from Japan, which were mostly used cars.
NML managing director Abdul Musabbir Ahmad said that they had launched three models while prices of these cars ranged from below Tk 14 lakhs to below Tk 20 lakhs.
The three models are – Tata Indigo eCS – compact sedan, Tata Indigo Manza – luxury sedan and Tata Indica Vista - hatchback.
At first these cars would be available in Dhaka with one show room at Nikunja while the company would set up two workshops for these cars. By 2013, three other cities will be covered.

Source: New Age

Obaidul calls for 1,000 more taxicabs in city

Staff Correspondent

Communications minister Obaidul Kader and others cut a cake to launch new models of TATA Motors to be marketed by Nitol Motors in Dhaka on Wednesday. — New Age photo
The communications minister, Obaidul Quader, on Wednesday urged the Nitol-Niloy Group to launch 1,000 taxicabs in Dhaka city to lessen public sufferings due to shortage of transport facilities.
He also said that slow moving vehicles could not be removed from the highways due to influence of local politicians.
The minister made the remarks at the launching ceremony of Tata passenger car range held at Hotel Purbani in the city.
Tata Motors Limited and NNG jointly organised the programme.
The minister said that at present the citizens were facing enormous problems due to lack of transports.
He urged the NNG representatives to launch environmental-friendly 1,000 taxicabs in Dhaka city to lessen public sufferings and pollutions in the city.
About vehicles like ‘Nasiman’ and ‘Kariman’, he said that local politicians do not want to take any action against these vehicles as they feared that taking action against them could decrease the number of their votes.
In January 2013, 50 articulated buses would be launched in seven divisions while Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation would also launch more 40 Indian buses in Dhaka city, he said.
About recent accident at a flyover at Chittagong, he said that there was a tendency to finish construction work in a hurry for getting the bills quickly.
Speaking on the occasion, Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh, Pankaj Saran, said that Bangladesh was becoming a fastest growing market in South Asia region.
Abdul Matlub Ahmad, chairman of Nitol Motors Limited, said that at present 85 to 90 per cent cars in Bangladesh came from Japan, which were mostly used cars.
NML managing director Abdul Musabbir Ahmad said that they had launched three models while prices of these cars ranged from below Tk 14 lakhs to below Tk 20 lakhs.
The three models are – Tata Indigo eCS – compact sedan, Tata Indigo Manza – luxury sedan and Tata Indica Vista - hatchback.
At first these cars would be available in Dhaka with one show room at Nikunja while the company would set up two workshops for these cars. By 2013, three other cities will be covered.

Source: New Age

Interesting story.

If this Tata Indigo Manza (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tata_Indigo#Indigo_Manza_.282009-present.29_.282nd_generation.29) can be called a luxury car then every Toyota Corolla or Carina in Dhaka is one :lol:

Maybe in India only.

Makh-khar vi Parinda ban gaya :lol:

Agreed! :nuts:

Interesting story.

If this Tata Indigo Manza (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tata_Indigo#Indigo_Manza_.282009-present.29_.282nd_generation.29) can be called a luxury car then every Toyota Corolla or Carina in Dhaka is one :lol:

Maybe in India only.

Makh-khar vi Parinda ban gaya :lol:
that and how does a 1000 more extra cars help the city? i want what hes been smoking

DHAKA, Dec 5, 2012 (BSS) - Communications Minister Obaidul Quader today said financing the metro rail project has been ensured, as the Japanese government has agreed to provide Taka 16,600 crore for the mega project.

"A draft financial agreement with JICA would be signed this month in this regard," he said at a press briefing at the ministry's conference room.

The minister said they have also finalized the route of metro rail project. The mega project would require a total cost of Taka 22,000 crore.

Mentioning the emergency renovation of the Meghna and Meghna- Ghumti Bridges, Quader said the government has taken initiatives to construct second Meghna, Kanchpur and Meghna- Ghumti Bridges.

"JICA has given its consent primarily to finance constructing the three bridges involving Taka 9,055 crore and it would be finalized by this month," he said.

The communications minister said the construction work of Dhaka-Chittagong four-lane highway is progressing fast and the work of 73km highways would be visible soon.

Besides, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) would be introduced between 20km road from Shahjalal airport to Gazipur, which is expected to ferry 40,000 passengers in pick hour, he added.

"Loan negotiation with ADB and the French government would be completed this month to start the Taka 2,040 crore project," Quader said.

The communications minister said the government has introduced vehicle retro-reflective number plate, Radio frequency identification tag and digital registration certificate to resist car lifting, revenue dodging and duplication.

Obaidul Quader said existing road network is being developed and upgraded in compliance with Vision-2021 for ensuring a secure and safe journey.

Road division secretary M A N Siddique and senior officials of BRTA, BRTC and the ministry were present at the press briefing.

Wrong thread

City to wear a fresh look with new roads, expressways, flyovers

http://www.fe-bd.com/images/news_image_2012-12-10_20000.jpg

Munima Sultana
Dhaka city is likely to wear a fresh look with the addition of 22 kilometres of roads to its network in the form of flyovers, overpasses and expressways in the next few months. But experts are still in doubt about the new infrastructure's ability to alleviate the city's chronic traffic jams.

Officials involved in these projects said 804-metre-long Banani overpass will open to the public on December 27, over 17km road and bridge road of Hatirjheel and Begunbari water retention project on January 02, over 3.0km Kuril flyover in January and 1.7km Mirpur-Airport flyover with a 560-metre link bridge by March next.

Although the government earlier announced to open the Dhaka City Corporation's 9.0km long Mayor Hanif flyover across Jatrabari-Gulistan area by March next, confirmation in this regard is yet to be received.

However, the experts have said all the roads and bridges will give a new look to the road network of the city, but those will leave hardly any impact on improving the overall traffic situation as the infrastructure set-ups are being constructed as a local solution to traffic gridlock.

"Until mass transport systems are not developed for the city, we cannot expect a solution to traffic jam from these new structures," said Professor Mohammad Shamsul Haque of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).

He said Dhaka generates newer traffic demands before a short-cut solution is completed, adding that with all these structures, 10 per cent recommendations for the city's 20-year-long transport policy (strategic transport policy or STP) will not be implemented.
Traffic experts said jams in some areas like Kuril or Banani, Niketan, Rampura, Badda, Mohakhali etc., would be diversified with the new infrastructure, following the setting up of the east-west connection.

The Communications Ministry and the Armed Forces officials said after the inauguration of Banani overpass and Mirpur-Airport flyover, the traffic can avoid signals at various points, which will help reduce travel time.

With the inauguration of expressway roads and service roads with road bridges in and around Hatirjheel-Bagunbari canal area, commuters will be able to avoid some roads like those in Mouchak, Malibagh and Gulshan to travel some other areas, project officials said.

The officials confirmed that both Banani overpass and Hatirjheel project would be inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and preparations in this connection were going on in full swing.

Brigadier-General Abu Syeed Mohammad Masud, Director General of SWO-West, which is responsible for constructing both Banani overpass and Mirpur-Airport flyover said both the infrastructure would ensure traffic movement in and around the airport including Mirpur without stopping at any signals.

He said 75 per cent work of the Mirpur-Airport flyover has already been completed, adding the entire 1.8 km Mirpur-Airport flyover has been designed in a special form to allow vehicles to cross right and left without any interruption.

"We expect to finish the rest of the work of the flyover by March next to facilitate its opening for the public," he told the FE.

Both the overpass and flyover constructions began under a single project titled Mirpur-Airport Road Flyover and Banani Overpass at Banani Staff Road Rail Crossing in March 2010. According to the revised development project proposal, completion target of the Tk 3.60 billion project has been fixed by March 2013.

The project officials of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartipakhya (RAJUK), under which the Kuril flyover is being constructed, said the two 'Y loops' and two 'U turning' of the flyover would also help the traffic turn right and left without having to stop at any signal point.
They also informed that 75 per cent work of the flyover had been completed and that they were hopeful of completing the rest of the work by next month.

The Kuril flyover, being constructed by Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha at a cost of Tk 1.54 billion since 2010, will connect Nikunja, Banani, Airport, Pragati Sarani and Purbachal roads through Y and U loops to avert signals.

However Professor Shamsul Haque, who is also a member of STP steering committee, said traffic gridlock at Basundhara might be spread up to Kuril flyover as no solution was planned by keeping the Kuril flyover, although there was a recommendation in this connection.

Urban planner and architect Iqbal Habib also observed that the structures along the Airport Road would create new traffic jams as those were not constructed making a proper calculation about traffic flow.

He pointed out the traffic volume had increased due to the Airport Road's connectivity with Dhaka-Mymensign Highway having linkages with different strategically important districts. There is still doubt about the ability of the flyovers and overpasses to take the burden off Purbachal when it would be developed fully, he added.

"There would be a choking situation soon at exit and entry points of the Banani overpass, Mirpur-Airport flyover and Kuril flyover as those were constructed without taking the future traffic volume into consideration," he said.

The project officials of Hatirjheel-Begunbari water retention project said people would get a different experience with a feeling of a 'floating city' after the inauguration of the Tk 19.713 billion project. But they also said its main focus had been on improving the rain water retention capacity of the city.

The project gained speed after it was revised to make it more people-friendly incorporating service roads, express roads, bridge roads along with drainage system, keeping a lake and ensuring canal recovery from encroachment and facilitating smooth flow of water to the city's rivers on the outskirts.

Source: Financial Express

An alternative idea for highway transportation

M Shamim Z Bosunia

Bangladesh is one of the most populated countries in the world. The position of this country is seven according to population density. The total population is now about 1.6 billion. After the liberation in 1971, Dhaka became the capital city though as a provincial city it is more than 400 years old. From 1965 to 2010, the population of the capital city reached 15 million from just 500 thousand only within 45 years. At present, Dhaka is also one of the most populated cities in the world, and its position is fifth. At this rate, the population of the city will cross 20 million within 2025. Current rate of increase of population motivates people to be Dhaka-centric. People are attracted to this city from remote areas of the country for various reasons. Though the area of Dhaka Metropolitan City is about 1500 square kilometer, about 80 per cent people (120 million) live within 360 square kilometer of Dhaka City Corporations.

From the beginning, Dhaka was developed in a very unplanned and arbitrary way. Because of fast urbanisation, the stipulated demand of transportation system was not properly fulfilled due to faulty infrastructure. So all are deprived from the advantages of urbanisation.
As a capital city, Dhaka contributes significantly to the country's GDP (gross domestic product). According to statistics, this city contributes about 15 per cent of GDP. But the brittle transportation system is a big headache.

Dhaka is the largest industrial city in the country, and it is also the administrative, commercial and cultural capital. This city is the central point of about all kinds of business activities. Besides, geographically Dhaka is situated at the centre of the country, so it is literally associated with all the districts. Though Dhaka carries vital administrative importance as the capital city, its geographical position is also a crucial factor for its importance. It is necessary to establish a smooth connection between Dhaka and other divisional and district cities. But the conditions of about 90 per cent of the highways and streets are not favourable for expansion of business and commerce. Economic progress of the country is seriously affected because of insufficient roads, traffic jam, lack of security, ignorance of concerned authorities and, above all, lack of management.

So it is necessary to establish a planned, smooth and effective communication network to invigorate the country's economy. The development of transportation system demands topmost priority. Transportation system is not an isolated subject. Many other rudimentary infrastructures are also involved with this. For this reason, a well-planned and effective model has been tried to develop to mitigate the problems related to transportation.
It is necessary to focus on the present condition of highways before discussing the model. Firstly, these highways are usually about 40 feet wide. These highways were primarily constructed for long-route vehicles. But comparatively slow moving, local and non-motorised vehicles are also using these roads. So the movement of fast moving vehicles are hampered and this also increases the chances of accidents. The movement and crossing of pedestrians are also very common since the streets are near the plane land and there are direct connections with locality. Secondly, these highways are two-way system and there is no divider between the movements of directly opposite vehicles. It is one of the main reasons of road accidents. The incidence of fatal accidents is very high due to face-to-face collision. Besides, there is a natural tendency among the drivers to drive the vehicles along the mid-road when the divider is absent there. Even sometimes the normal overtaking becomes very risky. Thirdly, in many cases, obstacles are created due to mechanical fault and accidents, and since the roads are not wide enough, so traffic jams occur.

A model has been developed to solve the problems associated with the highways. It is an elevated highway which would be at a height of 20 feet from the ground level. The width of this highway would be 100 feet. The road would be divided into two segments which would be 41 feet wide each. A one-way system would be imposed in every segment. Each segment would be divided also into two parts. A 31 feet wide roadway would be used by fast moving long-route vehicles like long-route buses, loaded trucks, lorry, semi-trailer, covered van, car, microbus etc. A 10 feet wide roadway would also be provided for slow moving and non-motorised vehicles (e.g. motor cycles, baby taxies, vans, rickshaws, auto-rickshaw etc.) beside the 31 feet road. There must be access control regulation on these roads. Similarly, another system would exist in the opposite direction parallel to this road. So we can consider a 82 feet roadway in total. The intermediate 18 feet wide space of these two parallel systems would be the most functional and innovative part of this model. Most of the spaces of this channel would be kept as void. These voids would be used to keep the natural irrigation system during the rainy season and also for ventilation. Since the highway would be situated at a height of 20 feet, so there would remain a scope for cultivation under the highway. The spaces which would not be kept as void, would be considered as "break-lane". These spaces would be used as check post/control room of highway police. Specially, in cases of accidents, the police car, fire brigade and ambulance would get the easiest access on both sides of the highway. It may be considered as U-turning zone. Besides, due to road accidents or mechanical fault, when an obstacle is created on the roadway, the hampered vehicles would be brought to this break-lane for repair. So the main road traffic stream would be uninterrupted. The foundations of this highway would consist of six consecutive columns side by side and these set of columns would be distributed in a certain span. High strength concrete girders would be put upon these sets of columns and 100 feet wide decks would be constructed over these girders.

In general, the highway would be at a height of 20 feet, but its height would be decreasing gradually when it would come closer to the locality and this height would be decreased to 10 feet at the junction. Similarly, the height of the local roads which would pass through perpendicular to this junction, would be increased to 10 feet. In this situation, the height of the proposed highway and local roads would be the same at the junction. The area of this junction may be of 1,60,000 square feet (400 feet x 400 feet) approximately. The area may be more or less where necessary.

The junctions would have multipurpose usage.

For example:
1. Bus stoppage for passengers
2. Restaurant, public toilet, pharmacy and clinic
3. Fuel stations and automobile repair shop etc.
The primary advantages of the proposed highway would be:
1. No need to acquire land.
2. A rent system may be applicable only for the places of columns just same as electrical transmission poles.
3. About 80 per cent cultivation would be possible in the land below.
4. In rainy season, natural flow of rain water, even the flood flow, would be possible.
5. Construction of random cross-bridge and culverts would not be necessary.
6. There would be no chance of face-to-face collision because of ensuring one-way movement.
7. There would be no discrimination between fast moving and slow moving vehicles because of imposing lane system.
8. No need for overtaking, so the possibility of road accidents would be decreased.
9. Since there would be no scope to cross the roads for pedestrians, the accidents associated with this habit would be controlled.
10. No need to construct speed-breakers since there would be no direct connection with locality.
11. The obstacles due to level-crossing would not exist because of its 20 feet elevation from the ground level.
12. There would be no scope of loading-unloading activities of passengers and goods, so the natural movement would be ensured.
13. There would be a break-lane system to repair the vehicles, so the natural flow would not be hampered.
14. The process of involvement with locality would also be possible due to junction system at the centre of the city.

This project would be very expensive from structural engineering point of view, and the expenditure would be double than conventional highways. But if we consider the huge loss and compensation to the economy in different sectors and also the feasibility of a well-planned and long-term transportation system, this expenditure would not be so high. For instance, the time required to materialise this project would be same as a conventional one. The expense of maintenance for the first 10 years would be nothing. The total expense can be recovered by agricultural works alone within just 15 years. The communication time will be reduced to a half compared to the present situation. So the savings of fuel would be a lot.
Though this concept is very new in the context of our country, its effectiveness is unquestionable. We are compensating a huge penalty due to unplanned urbanisation and faulty infrastructure of transportation system. The business and economy are badly hampered due to inevitable traffic jam. For this reason, to rescue our business from sluggishness and to run our economy to its full acceleration, there is no alternative to taking an unconventional but innovative, realistic, far-reaching and effective step right now.

Dr M Shamim Z Bosunia is a former professor,
Department of Civil Engineering,
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).
ceo@buildbd.org

Source: Financial Express

^^
This is very exciting news for sure,This project can completely change the face of the Shantinagar-moghbazar-eskaton-mouchak area.We will just have to wait one month to see if they actually start construction work of this much needed 8km flyover project or not.

Does anyone know if the Moghbazar flyover work started or not?

$160m ADB loan for rapid urban transport

The government on Monday signed an agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for US$160 million in loans to help Bangladesh develop sustainable urban public transport systems in greater Dhaka areas, reports BSS.
The assistance will contribute to developing a sustainable urban transport system in Dhaka North City Corporation and Gazipur City Corporation areas, which form part of north Greater Dhaka, by constructing a 20-kilometer bus rapid transit (BRT) route. It will help establish the first modern mass transit system in Bangladesh pursuing a holistic solution for integrated urban mobility.
Saifuddin Ahmed, Joint Secretary of Economic Relations Division (ERD), and M. Teresa Kho, Country Director of ADB’s Bangladesh Resident Mission, signed the agreement on behalf of Bangladesh and ADB respectively, at a ceremony at ERD, Sher-e- Bangla Nagar, Dhaka.
The assistance for the Greater Dhaka Sustainable Urban Transport Project will also construct sidewalks, mixed-traffic lanes, high-capacity drainage system, BRT depot and terminal facilities, and 155 access roads for non-motorised transport.
The BRT Airport terminal will be developed as an intermodal hub under a public-private partnership scheme. With an inclusive approach, the project will install 1,000 energy-efficient streetlights along the corridor; improve 10 local markets, nine drains, 141 local roads, and two pedestrian-friendly pilot roads, and further improve traffic management. The project will directly benefit more than 1 million people.
The BRT system to be developed under the project in greater Dhaka areas will be integrated with the BRT system from Dhaka airport to city center, proposed to be developed with assistance from the World Bank.
“To ensure a sustainable future for Dhaka, public transport focused on people’s mobility needs and accessibility has to be improved and given priority over simple road projects,” said ADB Country Director M. Teresa Kho.
She said besides creating efficient urban transportation facilities, the project will reduce an average emission of 40,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year by 2020 when air pollutants level will also decrease by 20 per cent annually against the 2006 baseline.
The total cost of the project is $255 million. Agence FranOaise de D,veloppement is expected to co-finance the project with $45 million, while the Global Environment Facility will provide $4.60 million. The Government of Bangladesh is also providing $45.40 million.

Source: The Independent

Obaidul opens diversion road at Gabtoli

Staff Correspondent

The communications minister, Obaidul Qader, on Wednesday inaugurated a semi-circular diversion road under Gabtoli-Amin Bazar Bridge.
He hoped that the road would lessen traffic congestion in the city, said a press release.
The road, 7.5 metres in width and 1,500 metres in length, stretched from Shirnitake to Gabtoli Amin Bazar Bridge. He also said the broadening of the Gabtoli-Sowarighat road would start shortly.
The work on the Padma Bridge’s main structure would start during the present government’s tenure, he hoped.

Source: New Age

PM to open Banani overpass Dec 27

FE Report
The Banani overpass will be opened for traffic movement from December 27, setting an example of completing project six months ahead of its completion deadline, Communications Minister Obaidul Quader said Thursday.
"It is a rare example that the work is completed within the set timeframe," he said, adding that the Mirpur-Airport flyover, which is also a part of the project, will be inaugurated by March.
The communications minister was talking with a group of journalists after inspecting the final phase of the overpass construction.
He also walked through the overpass over Banani rail-crossing, and visited the inaugural ceremony site to see the arrangement.
The minister said the 805-metre overpass will be the biggest overpass of the country with six lanes for traffic movement, including two lanes for dedicated bus service BRT. It is completed at a cost of Tk 1.03 billion.
He said the overpass will help commuters avoid waiting at the rail-crossing, and thus contribute in reducing traffic jam in the area.
About 72 trains cross the Banani rail-crossing everyday, leaving commuters to wait for at least seven to eight minutes on both sides of the gate, stretching the traffic jam almost half a kilometre.
The communications minister said the entire view of the locality will get a different look after the opening of the link-bridge and Mirpur-Airport Road flyover.
He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the Banani overpass on December 27 and the flyover with the link-bridge in March.
Director General of Special Works Organisation West of Bangladesh Army said the overpass has also set an example of branding, as it is totally completed with locally expertise, from design to construction.

The Roads and Highways Department launched the Mirpur-Airport flyover and Banani overpass project in 2010 under the supervision of Special Works Organisation West. Abdul Monem Limited constructed the overpass.
Road Division secretary M A N Siddique, project director Abu Syeed Mohammad Masud, project consultant Dr Azadul Islam, and Abdul Monem Limited chairman and managing director Abdul Monem also accompanied the minister during the visit.

Source: Financial Express

Flyovers

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/380593_449351348458748_1043570005_n.jpg

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/314639_449351835125366_680247358_n.jpg

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/200146_449351881792028_1420350278_n.jpg
Photos courtesy of Bangladesh Racerz Club

2013 is going to be major year in terms of Dhaka Infrastructures:

1. Banani overpass
2. Mirpur-Airport road flyover
3. Kuril Flyover
4. Jatrabari Flyover
5. Hatirjheel Project
6. Jamuna Future Park
7. La-Meredian 5 star hotel

Did I miss any other big projects set for opening?

Banani overpass

http://i46.************/2ymhisk.jpg

Openning tomorrow for public.

চালু হচ্ছে বনানী উড়ালসড়ক
আনোয়ার হোসেন | তারিখ: ২৬-১২-২০১২
বনানী উড়ালসড়ক ও সংযোগ সড়ক চালু হচ্ছে কাল ২৭ ডিসেম্বর। ঢাকার যানজট নিরসনে বর্তমান সরকারের নেওয়া এই প্রকল্প নির্ধারিত সময়ের আগেই চালু হতে যাচ্ছে।

যোগাযোগ মন্ত্রণালয়ের সংশ্লিষ্ট কর্মকর্তারা জানান, বনানী হয়ে প্রতিদিন গড়ে ৭২টির বেশি ট্রেন চলাচল করে। এর ফলে একদিকে গুলশান-জাহাঙ্গীর গেট-প্রধানমন্ত্রীর কার্যালয়, অন্যদিকে বনানী-বিমানবন্দর পর্যন্ত দীর্ঘ যানজটের সৃষ্টি হয়। উড়ালসড়কটি চালু হলে সব যানবাহন রেললাইনের ওপর দিয়ে চলে যাবে। ট্রেন চলাচলের কারণে যানগুলোকে দাঁড়িয়ে থাকতে হবে না।
যোগাযোগ মন্ত্রণালয়ের সচিব এম এ এন সিদ্দিক প্রথম আলোকে বলেন, ২৭ ডিসেম্বর প্রধানমন্ত্রী শেখ হাসিনা বনানী উড়ালসড়কের উদ্বোধন করবেন বলে সম্মতি দিয়েছেন।
প্রকল্পটি যোগাযোগ মন্ত্রণালয়ের সড়ক ও জনপথ অধিদপ্তরের (সওজ) নেওয়া। ঠিকাদারি প্রতিষ্ঠান আবদুল মোনেম লিমিটেড সেনাবাহিনীর তত্ত্বাবধানে এই উড়ালসড়ক নির্মাণ করেছে। ৮০৪ মিটার দীর্ঘ উড়ালসড়কটি নির্মিত হয়েছে বনানী রেলক্রসিংয়ের ওপর। এতে ব্যয় হয়েছে ১০৩ কোটি টাকা। আর সংযোগ সড়কটি হচ্ছে বনানী উড়ালসেতু ও মিরপুর উড়ালসড়কের মধ্যে সংযোগ স্থাপনের জন্য। এটির দৈর্ঘ্য ৫৬০ মিটার, ব্যয় হবে ৩০ কোটি টাকা।
সওজ সূত্র জানায়, বনানী উড়ালসড়ক নির্মাণে সেনাবাহিনীকে দায়িত্ব দেওয়া হয় ২০১০ সালের মার্চে। কাজ শুরু হয় ২০১১ সালের ২৫ জানুয়ারি। প্রকল্প প্রস্তাবে নির্মাণকাজ শেষ হওয়ার কথা ছিল ২০১৩ সালের জুনে। তবে ছয় মাস আগেই নির্মাণকাজ শেষ হয়েছে।
সংযোগ সড়কের নির্মাণকাজ শেষ হলেও এটি এখনই ব্যবহার করা যাবে না। কারণ, মিরপুরের মাটিকাটা থেকে জিয়া কলোনি পর্যন্ত আরেকটি উড়ালসড়কের কাজ চলছে। সেটি আগামী মার্চে শেষ হতে পারে। এটি চালু হলে বিমানবন্দর সড়কের সঙ্গে মিরপুরের সরাসরি যোগাযোগ স্থাপিত হবে।
ছয় লেনের বনানী উড়ালসড়কটি প্রস্থে ২২ দশমিক ৫২ মিটার। আর্মি স্টেডিয়ামের কাছ থেকে উড়ালসড়কের শুরু। বনানী-বিমানবন্দর সড়কের ওপর দিয়ে রেললাইন পার হয়ে সেটি শেষ হয়েছে নৌবাহিনীর অফিসার্স মেসের কাছে গিয়ে।
মন্ত্রণালয় সূত্র জানায়, মিরপুর মাটিকাটা থেকে জিয়া কলোনি পর্যন্ত ১ দশমিক ৮০ কিলোমিটার দীর্ঘ উড়ালসড়ক প্রকল্পটিও সেনাবাহিনী বাস্তবায়ন করছে। এতে ব্যয় ধরা হয়েছে ১৬৭ কোটি টাকা।
চার ‘ইউ’ লুপ: বিশেষজ্ঞরা বলছেন, বনানী উড়ালসড়ক, কুড়িল উড়ালসড়ক ও ঢাকা উড়ালসড়ক তিনটি প্রকল্পের শুরু কিংবা শেষ দুই কিলোমিটার এলাকার মধ্যে। এসব প্রকল্প বাস্তবায়িত হলে বনানী ও কুড়িলের যানজট কাকলী এসে ছড়িয়ে পড়বে। কারণ, মিরপুর, প্রগতি সরণি, উত্তরা হয়ে আসা সব যানবাহনের চাপ পড়বে কাকলীতে। আবার মহাখালী হয়ে বনানী বা গুলশানমুখী যানবাহনগুলোও কাকলী বা চেয়ারম্যান বাড়ি দিয়ে ডানে মোড় নিয়ে থাকে। এ অবস্থায় দুই দিকের যানবাহনের চাপে কাকলী বিপর্যস্ত হয়ে পড়বে।
বিমানবন্দর সড়কের যানবাহনের চলাচল যাতে বাধাগ্রস্ত না হয়, সে জন্য গুলশান ও বনানীমুখী যানবাহনগুলোকে উড়ালসেতু দিয়ে পারাপারের প্রস্তাব দিয়েছেন বিশেষজ্ঞরা। এটাকে তাঁরা বলছেন, ‘ইউ’ লুপ। মহাখালী উড়ালসেতু থেকে কাকলী পর্যন্ত চারটি ইউ লুপ নির্মাণে একটি প্রকল্পও নিয়েছে যোগাযোগ মন্ত্রণালয়। এই প্রকল্পে ব্যয় ধরা হয়েছে প্রায় ১৭০ কোটি টাকা। এখনো এই প্রকল্পের বাস্তবায়ন শুরু করতে পারেনি সরকার।
জানতে চাইলে বাংলাদেশ প্রকৌশল বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের পুরকৌশল বিভাগের অধ্যাপক সামছুল হক প্রথম আলোকে বলেন, মাটিকাটা-জিয়া কলোনি উড়ালসড়ক, বনানী উড়ালসড়ক ও সংযোগ সড়ক চালু হলে মিরপুরের মানুষ দ্রুত বিমানবন্দর সড়কে আসতে পারবে। মহাখালী-বিমানবন্দর পথেও রেলক্রসিংয়ে যানজটে পড়তে হবে না। তবে কাকলীতে সমস্যা হতে পারে। সে জন্যই ‘ইউ’ লুপ করার পরামর্শ দেওয়া হয়েছে।


http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2012-12-26/news/316208

What would a good estimate of population of Dhaka today ?

What would a good estimate of population of Dhaka today ?

12 to 15million?

http://www.banglanews24.com/watermark.php?path=http://108.170.59.100/images/PhotoGallery/2012December/PM-Flyover-Nazmul-520121227002212.jpg

http://www.banglanews24.com/watermark.php?path=http://108.170.59.100/images/PhotoGallery/2012December/PM-Flyover-Nazmul-720121227002135.jpg

banglanews24.

PM inaugurates Banani overpass

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DHAKA, Dec 27: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday inaugurated the much-awaited Banani overpass noting that it would lead to a new horizon of tailback-free road communication in the capital.
“With the opening of the overpass, vehicles do not need to stop at Banani rail crossing, while gridlock would not be created up to Biswa Road or Mohakhali, saving the people from unexpected accidents,” she told a function arranged on the occasion of the inauguration of the overpass. The Premier added that the overpass, the biggest in the country, would stand as a milestone to an easy and time-saving traffic movement,ending a chronic log jam in traffic for the residents of the capital.
Held at the Banani Army Stadium, the function was also addressed, among others, by Communications Minister Obaidul Quader, Chief of Army Staff, General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan, Communication Secretary MAN Siddique, Director General of Special Works Organization (West) of Bangladesh Army Brig Gen Abu Sayeed Mahmud.
Defence Adviser to the Prime Minister Maj Gen (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique was also present on the dais. Cabinet ministers, advisers to the Prime Minister, parliament members and high civil and military officials were also present on the occasion.
Sheikh Hasina said, her government has taken massive programmes to develop the Dhaka as a modern city without traffic congestions. “Various initiatives, including construction of flyovers, elevated expressway, commuter railway, underground tunnel, ring road and waterway around the city have already been taken under the Strategic Transport Plan,” she said.
The Prime Minister said, the construction work of Kuril Flyover, Jatrabari Flyover and Mirpur-Airport Flyover is now at the final stage. “These flyovers will be opened to traffic within couple of months,” she added.
Sheikh Hasina said, the plan for metro rail has been approved, while the tender process for Moghbazar-Malibagh Flyover has been completed.
The Prime Minister said, the beauty of Dhaka city would increase to a great extent with the implementation of Hatirjheel Coordinated Development Project and the development of roads adjacent to Dhanmandi Lake.
Sheikh Hasina further said, the Awami League government has been playing a pioneering role in development of the country’s communication system. “As per our election pledges, we are constructing bridges, roads and flyovers across the country,” she said
The Prime Minister said effective steps have been taken to raise navigability of the rivers after freeing them from encroachment. “A separate ministry has been constituted and a master plan is being implemented attaching importance to the railways,” she added.
In this connection, Sheikh Hasina blasted the past BNP government for closing many rail routes in the country at the advice of the World Bank. “After assuming office this time, we have resumed that rail routes,” she noted.
She said the government has taken a multipurpose plan to upgrade Dhaka-Chittagong Highway and Dhaka- Mymensingh Highway to four lanes.
Thanking Bangladesh Army for completing the project smoothly, Sheikh Hasina said she had firm belief that they could be a successful partner in fulfilling the commitments of the government discharging their responsibilities properly.
“Bangladesh Army has been playing an important role in the country’s socio-economic development,” she observed, hoping that the army would work with added devotion for further development of the country.
The Prime Minister also thanked all other organisations, including the Communication Ministry, Roads and Highways Division and Dhaka Metropolitan Police which were involved in the infrastructural development of Banani overpass and link road. She agreed to construct four U-loops near Radisson Hotel and Banani on the Airport Road to further ease the traffic jam on the road.
The Prime Minister also highlighted her government’s tremendous successes in the fields of agriculture, health, power, economy and ICT.
“Our aim is to build Bangladesh as a middle-income country by developing the living standard of the people and making them self-reliant,” she said.
Earlier, Sheikh Hasina opened the overpass unveiling its plaque and cutting ribbon. Abdul Monem Ltd constructed the 804- metre-long Banani overpass at a cost of Taka 103 crore, while the Special Works Organisation (SWO) of the Bangladesh Army and the Roads and Highways Department and the Roads Division under the Communication Ministry implemented the project.
The construction of the 22.52 metre wide six-lane overpass began in January 25, 2011, under the Mirpur- Airport Road flyover and overpass project at Banani rail crossing, with a view to ease traffic congestion in the city, especially in the eastern part of the capital.
Officials said, the work of the overpass was scheduled to end in June 2013. But its work was completed six months ahead of stipulated time.
The sources said, the construction work of the link flyover between Mirpur and the Airport Road is expected to be finished by March next.
bdnews24.com adds: Terming the Banani overpass as a milestone of time saving communications, Hasina hoped that there will be no traffic congestion up to Biswa Road and Mohakhali as no vehicle would now stop at the rail crossing, where more than 70 trains pass everyday through the crossing.
Terming the waterways as the cheapest mode of transport, Hasina said her government has already taken effective steps to free the river route from illegal occupation and to increase their navigability through dredging.
As a result of continuous dredging, she said water storage capacity of the rivers has increased and the damage from flood was less in last season.
The Prime Minister said the Railways Ministry has been established putting emphasis on railway communications and a master plan is being implemented for this sector.
She said that her government has made massive advancement in every sector including in agriculture, health, education, road and river communications, and the socioeconomic sectors.
She mentioned the increase of electricity generation to 6350 MW from 3200 MW in 2009, increase of per capita income, enhancement of gas exploration by 600 million cubic feet, increase of domestic and foreign investments and upgrading of 5 crore people to middle income group from low income group, and boosting employment generation.
The Prime Minister also mentioned the forecast by the economists that the economic growth of Bangladesh will surpass the growth of western countries by 2050.
Bangladesh Army is constructing the Mirpur- Airport connecting road, spending almost Tk 1.03 billion. The 22.52 meter wide six lane flyover is expected to be completed six months before schedule.

Source: The Independent/BDNews24

^^ This flyover will definately help to reduce the gridlock at Banani railcrossing

http://photo.priyo.com/files/imagecache/featured/photo/2013/01/Hatir%20jil%20(1).jpg

Dhaka, Jan 2 (bdnews24.com) – The Hatirjheel-Begunbari integrated project was a "new year gift" to the people, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, while inaugurating the project on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister thanked all those connected with the project , that is spread through 302 acres of land, aimed at facilitating connectivity between eastern and western Dhaka.

" This project would be a leading example both within Bangladesh and outside, because we have been able to complete this successfully without any foreign assistance," she said..

She recalled numerous other proposals for the area during her previous tenure (1996-2001) that were cancelled due to water-logging concerns. The Prime MInister said steps were being taken for rehabilitation of those affected by the project.

Earlier in the day, she unveiled the project's plaque on Wednesday morning, after driving through the area to get a first hand feel of the project Later she was welcomed on stage to slogans of 'Joi Bangla'.

Hatirjheel-Begunbari integrated project

The Hatirjheel-Begunbari project, stretching from Hotel Sonargaon to Bansree, was taken up in 2007, during the last caretaker government's time with an outlay of Tk20 million – 93 percent of which was funded by the government.

A lake flows through the heart of the integrated project. A 16-kilometre road has been built beside the lake for traffic, connecting four big and four small bridges (viaducts) and as many overpasses for pedestrians.

Boat rides are available and facilities are there for small scale family picnics.

Prof Shamsul Haq, a transport expert with the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), told bdnews24.com that the project would reduce the city's nagging snarls to some extent.

Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha, or the Capital Development Authority, 16 Engineering Construction Battalion of Army, Dhaka WASA and the LGED jointly implemented the project with BUET as its consultant.

The Integrated Development Project (Amendment) in Hatirjheel area under the Ministry of Housing and Public Works was approved on Dec 28, 2008 at the last meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) during the last caretaker government.

Source: bdnews24.com
Photo: priyo.com

^^ This flyover will definately help to reduce the gridlock at Banani railcrossing

That remains to be seen, but I doubt it. Thus far none of the flyovers that are already in use, have helped to reduce congestion. Now the gridlock happens on those flyovers, as I have experienced.

Nothing short of an efficient mass transit system, and more roads will eliminate the problem.

That remains to be seen, but I doubt it. Thus far none of the flyovers that are already in use, have helped to reduce congestion. Now the gridlock happens on those flyovers, as I have experienced.

Nothing short of an efficient mass transit system, and more roads will eliminate the problem.

Just spoke with my mother today and she mentioned that the Banani flyover just took the jam above ground. I know every little bit of development helps but in the long term we definitely need mass transit capable of hauling tens of thousands every hour or at least during rush hours. If NYC didn't have the subway, the city would be one giant parking lot. Dhaka needs something similar.

Just spoke with my mother today and she mentioned that the Banani flyover just took the jam above ground. I know every little bit of development helps but in the long term we definitely need mass transit capable of hauling tens of thousands every hour or at least during rush hours. If NYC didn't have the subway, the city would be one giant parking lot. Dhaka needs something similar.

I dont think any sane person would imagine 0.8km of additional road in dhaka would solve the traffic crisis. I think what tislam84 meant was that it does ease it a little bit since cars will not have to wait for the trains to pass. That was the aim for the overhead road....

Eagerly waiting for pictures of Hatirjheel, including night shots & the fireworks.

Just spoke with my mother today and she mentioned that the Banani flyover just took the jam above ground. I know every little bit of development helps but in the long term we definitely need mass transit capable of hauling tens of thousands every hour or at least during rush hours. If NYC didn't have the subway, the city would be one giant parking lot. Dhaka needs something similar.

That's just awful! I was hoping that the overbridge would smoothen the flow of traffic a bit because there would be no wait time while a train was passing.

That's just awful! I was hoping that the overbridge would smoothen the flow of traffic a bit because there would be no wait time while a train was passing.

As HereWeGo mentioned, a paltry 0.8 km of road isn't going to fix Dhaka's endemic traffic woes which needs a system-wide overhaul and some new thinking on the part of urban developers. Like many before me mentioned, a mass scale transit system along with proper traffic management is needed to alleviate the current suffering of commuters. Even though the flyovers at present just shuffle the congestion to another bottleneck, it's still better than not having them.

The next overhead crossing should be in the Khilgaon area as that location has become very deadly.

^^ That's true. Of course one 0.8 km will not solve any traffic problem in Dhaka.

Wouldn't it be just easier to move all the inter-district rail lines out of the city and make them run by the periphery of the city? And upgrade the ones that run through the city as a starting point for a intra-city metro? Maruf Bhai, I think you mentioned once how some of your relatives use the train to go from Kamalapur to Uttara.

I am also not sure why the government doesn't emphasize more on river transportation to transport people around Dhaka (Sadarghat to Gabtoli). I remember they started the initiative, but didn't do much for it.

And I think one best thing that will help traffic congestion quite a bit if they make the Prime Minister travel by a helicopter. I understand its done for security, but closing a main road for 30-45 minutes to let the PM pass through causes even more havoc to an already awful problem.

Wouldn't it be just easier to move all the inter-district rail lines out of the city and make them run by the periphery of the city? And upgrade the ones that run through the city as a starting point for a intra-city metro? Maruf Bhai, I think you mentioned once how some of your relatives use the train to go from Kamalapur to Uttara.

The main problem that the govt. faces in any new infrastructure development is the paucity of land and the difficulty in acquiring the land. The Dhaka-Chittagong highway is still not 4-lanes even after two decades is due to this fact. The rail lines can be moved out to the periphery but it will involve pushing people off their farmland. Since the govt. doesn't pay market rates, no one is willing to part with their property. The local goondas also intimidate the developers if they don't get their cuts.

Bangladesh Rail does have regular trains plying between Tongi and Kamalapur but since the trains are very shabby and schedules are not maintained, most white-collar office goers don't use them in their commute.

I am also not sure why the government doesn't emphasize more on river transportation to transport people around Dhaka (Sadarghat to Gabtoli). I remember they started the initiative, but didn't do much for it.

I think last year or may be two years ago, the govt. launched river bus service with much fanfare but due to lack of maintenance and the usual Deshi indifference, these boats are now rusting. There was lot of promise in the service as people could could traverse the Turag, Sitalkhaya and Buriganga to reach places on the riverbanks without suffering the traffic chaos. We really need consummate professionals to run the transportation and other govt sectors but unfortunately that's a pipe dream even after 40 years of independence :ohno:


And I think one best thing that will help traffic congestion quite a bit if they make the Prime Minister travel by a helicopter. I understand its done for security, but closing a main road for 30-45 minutes to let the PM pass through causes even more havoc to an already awful problem.

For a heli ride, you need helipads or open spaces in the city. Dhaka is so congested that it would be hard to land a chopper anywhere other than at the airports or on top of one of the modern hospitals.

The main problem that the govt. faces in any new infrastructure development is the paucity of land and the difficulty in acquiring the land. The Dhaka-Chittagong highway is still not 4-lanes even after two decades is due to this fact. The rail lines can be moved out to the periphery but it will involve pushing people off their farmland. Since the govt. doesn't pay market rates, no one is willing to part with their property. The local goondas also intimidate the developers if they don't get their cuts.

Bangladesh Rail does have regular trains plying between Tongi and Kamalapur but since the trains are very shabby and schedules are not maintained, most white-collar office goers don't use them in their commute.



I think last year or may be two years ago, the govt. launched river bus service with much fanfare but due to lack of maintenance and the usual Deshi indifference, these boats are now rusting. There was lot of promise in the service as people could could traverse the Turag, Sitalkhaya and Buriganga to reach places on the riverbanks without suffering the traffic chaos. We really need consummate professionals to run the transportation and other govt sectors but unfortunately that's a pipe dream even after 40 years of independence :ohno:



For a heli ride, you need helipads or open spaces in the city. Dhaka is so congested that it would be hard to land a chopper anywhere other than at the airports or on top of one of the modern hospitals.

Quite a few buildings now have heliports in addition to the ones you mentioned above and more and more buildings seem to be integrating them into their architecture.

Eagerly waiting for pictures of Hatirjheel, including night shots & the fireworks.

Check the parks thread in Cityscapes for more photos.

Quite a few buildings now have heliports in addition to the ones you mentioned above and more and more buildings seem to be integrating them into their architecture.

That's interesting to know and actually for the tall buildings a good safety measure as well.

As for govt VIP travel, I think it would be useful for the state buildings(Parliament, Secretariat, Banga Bhavan, etc.) to have them too.

Banani Flyover

http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/84333565.jpg

http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/84333586.jpg

http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/84333557.jpg

^^
wont be surprised if this flyover starts getting dirty pretty soon

KOICA's Grant for Digital BRTA

DHAKA, JAN 3: A Record of Discussion (RD) has been singed between the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Economic Relations Division (ERD) on Monday at the ERD conference room in order to establish a Data Center & Web-Portal System for Digital BRTA, says a press release. Ms. Kim Bok-Hee, Resident Representative of KOICA Bangladesh Office, Mohammad Asif-uz-Zaman, Joint Secretary of ERD and Ayubur Rahman Khan, Chairman of BRTA signed the agreement. Under this agreement, KOICA, the Korean government’s assistance granting agent, has confirmed USD 2.7 million in grant assistance, supporting the BRTA in establishing a high-tech digital data centre at BRTA headquarters in addition to an automatic vehicle inspection system at BRTA Mirpur office. Besides software and hardware support, BRTA officials will also receive training in Korea on modern traffic technology in an effort to enhance capacity development. KOICA and the BRTA will jointly implement this two year project.This project is expected to open new horizons for Bangladesh by making available the fastest online vehicle related public service by setting an ISO standard high-tech data centre which will also help the Bangladesh to achieve The Vision 2021 goal. The project will help reduce traffic and monitor the overall performance of the BRTA. After successfully implementing the project, the BRTA will become increasingly efficient, cost effective in operation, reliable and transparent, provide better services to citizens, and gain overall improved management as a government agency.
Speaking on the occasion, Resident Representative, Ms. Kim Bok-Hee expressed her confidence that this project will further strengthen the relationship between Bangladesh and Korea, praising the BRTA for their excellent efforts thus far, in hope that both parties will continue to work closely in implementing the project. The Joint Secretary of the ERD expressed his gratitude to KOICA and the Korean Government for being a constant friend to Bangladesh and promised to cooperate with KOICA in realising the project. The chairman of BRTA also thanked KOICA and the Korean government for providing assistance to the BRTA

Source: The Independent

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bI7-T6zjMGQ

Video of Kuril Flyover. Ignore what he said about the project taking 1-2 more years to complete. The flyover is expected to be opened on March 26th, but the link road will take 1-2 more years, as of recent news.

Banani Rail Crossing Flyover is open. Mirpur to Airport flyover is expected to be opened on March 26th. The Banani Rail Crossing Flyover allows drivers to avoid waiting for the daily 76 trains that pass through the city. An average of 2700 vehicles crossed over the flyover per day in the first week. The Mirpur to Airport flyover is expected to ease traffic because before its existence drivers had to go from the Airport to Mirpur via the Bijoy Sarani Mirpur Diversion. Kuril Flyover is expected to also be opened on March 26th. It will also allow drivers to avoid having to wait for the daily 76 trains that pass through the city. Jatrabari Flyover is also expected to open in March. It will ease traffic in the locality and shorten the time for trucks to pass through the city and vehicles to access the Dhaka - Chittagong Highway.

News Report Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_LxiaA-kRU

A group of students from the US are trying to launch a bus map of Dhaka. This includes a distribution of 2000 paper maps, smartphone app, online webiste

DBBL inks for online inter-city bus ticketing

Dhaka, Jan 6: Dutch-Bangla Bank Ltd (DBBL) and BUSBD.COM recently signed deal for online inter city bus ticketing through DBBL internet payment gateway, says a press release.
Ashfaq A Rahman, managing director of Swansoft Limited (BUSBD.COM), and Md Kamruzzaman, head of personal banking division of DBBL, signed an agreement. Under this agreement, Nexus cardholder of DBBL and VISN MasterCard holders of any bank can purchase inter city bus ticket of different transport companies from the web site www.busbd.com and pay bills through DBBL internet payment gateway.
K S Tabrez, managing director of Dutch-Bangla Bank, Abul Kashem Md Shirin, deputy managing director of DBBL, Abul Kashem Khan, head of IT of DBBL, and Md Siddiqur Rahman, director (marketing and sales), Talukder Sobur Ahmed, director Technical of Swansoft Limited (BUSBD.COM), and other executives from both organisations were also present.

Source: The Independent

New flyover project may get go-ahead

A proposal for building a 13.320-km long flyover from Shantinagar to Dhaka-Mawa Road is likely to be considered by the Cabinet Economic Affairs Committee. According to official sources, Housing and Public Works Ministry will place the proposal in the Cabinet body meeting today (Wednesday) to implement the Tk 26.67 billion (2,670-crore) project under the public-private-partnership (PPP) model. — UNB

Source: Financial Express

A group of students from the US are trying to launch a bus map of Dhaka. This includes a distribution of 2000 paper maps, smartphone app, online webiste

All the information on that:

http://www.fastcoexist.com/1681136/building-a-map-for-the-insane-public-transit-of-bangladesh#1

Project Builders Limited has been assigned to build the Mouchak to Malibagh flyover (which is going to connect with the Shantinagar to Dhaka-Mawa Rd Expressway). They have also been assigned to build the Dhaka-Tongi-Joydevpur Rd

Earlier, the cabinet committee on economic affairs at a meeting, also chaired by the finance minister, approved a proposal for constructing a 13.32-kilometre elevated expressway linking the capital's Shantinagar and Dhaka-Mawa road under public-private partnership (PPP) initiative.

Of the proposed route, 6.43 km will have four lanes and the rest two lanes. It will be linked to Mouchak-Moghbazar flyover. The project will cost Tk 2,670 crore.

The expressway will go over the existing roads at Shantinagar, Paltan, Fulbaria intersection, Naya Bazar intersection, Victoria Park, Babu Bazar and Buriganga second bridge, and will end at Jheelmil housing project beside Dhaka-Mawa road.

Tender for the project will be floated by the PPP office, said a Cabinet Division official.

According to preliminary projection, the project will be completed in 2016, he added.

JICA provides Tk 2.0b grant for constn works

Communications Minister Obaidul Quader Thursday said Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) provided grant about Tk 2.0 billion for construction of flyovers and overpasses, reports BSS.

"JICA, the Japanese government's soft loan- giving agency, has provided a grant of Japanese yen (JPY) 2.0 billion to construct flyovers and overpasses in the country," he said, while addressing a press briefing at Rail Bhaban in the city.

The minister said the grant has been announced on January as a New Year gift.

He said the JICA has contributed a lot for construction of Bangladeshi bridges across the country which was implemented by Roads and Highways Department (RHD).

The soft loan agency has also provided assistance to construct 63 bridges with a development partner of Eastern Bangladesh Bridge Improvement Project, Quader said.

He said JICA has also showed interest to help Western Bangladesh Bridge Improvement Project.

Source: Financial Express

There is a road to connect purbachal with Dhaka city which is 300ft wide and under construction. How long is that?Is that 4 line in both side = 8 lane highway?

There is a road to connect purbachal with Dhaka city which is 300ft wide and under construction. How long is that?Is that 4 line in both side = 8 lane highway?

It will be 13 kms long with 3 lanes on both sides (6 lane highway) before the Balu River and 2 lanes on both sides (3 lane highway) after passing the Balu River. Expected to be completed in Dec 2013.

Kuril flyover work delayed
3 more months given to complete job

Helemul Alam

Failing to meet the December 31 deadline to open the Kuril Flyover to traffic, Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) has extended the time frame by three months.

Rajuk Chairman Nurul Huda attributed the delay to late handover of some land by the railway and roads and highways departments.

About 11 months were spent to get the possession of the land and end a legal dispute with a CNG refuelling station in the area.

He said 75 percent of the project has been completed so far and hoped to open the 3.1-kilometre flyover by March.

Besides, digging of a lake under the flyover and construction of two footbridges and connecting roads are also underway and will be completed duly.

The one-way flyover will be 8.9 metre wide and 14.6 metre high. It will have two Y and as many U loops, mentioned a Rajuk official.

Vehicles from different directions will use the loops to cross the flyover.

Around 87 trains cross the Kuril Level Crossing on Pragati Sarani every day, wasting around seven hours. The flyover will ease the traffic at the point, said Showkat Hussain, director of Project Builders Ltd.

Funded by Rajuk from its Purbachal New Town Project fund, the flyover is being built on about 12.68 acres of land.

Sources in Rajuk said the cabinet purchase committee of the Awami League-led grand alliance government on March 2010 approved the tender proposal for building the flyover at a cost of around Tk 153 crore.

The Rajuk awarded the project to a joint venture of Project Builders Ltd of Bangladesh and Major Bridge Engineering Corporation of China.

The construction work was scheduled for the same month, but the concessionaires could not start the work as the Bangladesh Railway and Roads and Highways Department gave Rajuk the required land in September and October 2010.

The delay hiked the project cost to Tk 254 crore.

Source: Daily Star

Three flyovers to ease traffic jam in Hatirjheel project
Published : Tuesday, 15 January 2013

The photo, taken Monday, shows the beginning of vehicular movements on roads at the recently-inaugurated Hatirjheel Project in the city which, in turn, increased the intensity of gridlock on the adjacent Tongi Diversion Road. — FE Photo


Munima Sultana

The government has taken a move to ease traffic congestion in and around Hatirjheel-Begunbari rain water retention pond area by constructing new infrastructures -two U loops (a kind of flyover) in Rampura and one in Sonargaon-- officials said Monday.

Since the Hatirjheel-Begunbari road infrastructure was inaugurated on January 2, new pockets of traffic congestion have emerged in some areas including Rampura and Tongi Diversion road in Tejgaon.

Officials said piling work of both the structures has already started at Rampura and Sonargaon sides.

"We started the piling to construct two grade separations (U loop) in Rampura area under the Hatirjheel project as per plan to avoid all right turning," said project director Nazmul Alam.

He said another U loop has also been planned under Moghbazar-Malibagh flyover project to divert the traffic without any stop at any signal points.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister AMA Muhith issued demo official (DO) letter to the communications and LGRD and cooperatives ministries to sit together for constructing a flyover in coordination with newly-opened Hatirjheel area to resolve traffic jam along Sonargaon-Hatirjheel area.

Though the DO was issued the day after after the Hatijheel road infrastructure was inaugurated, the LGRD ministry officials said: "The communications ministry actually does not have anything to do in this regard as the Hatirjheel project is under Rajuk and another flyover Maghbazar-Malibagh being under consideration of Local Government Engineering Department," said an official preferring not to be named.

The LGED took the initiative to construct a flyover for resolving traffic jam from entire Sonargaon and Malibagh areas.

Recently, the department signed an agreement with two firms to build the 8.25-kilometre flyover along the corridor.

Nazrul Islam, Executive Engineer, LGED Dhaka Division, who is also the project director of the Moghbazar-Malibagh flyover project said the U loop/grade separation from the Sonargaon side has been included in this flyover project and it will be constructed in coordination with the Hatirjheel project.

Source: Financial Express

Campaign for road safety
→ Metro Desk

Dhaka South City Corporation and Dhaka North City Corporation launched a campaign titled ‘General Awareness Week’ on January 13 for clean and safe mobility in the capital.

The campaign, being conducted under a project supported by World Bank, continues from 8:30am to 5:30pm everyday and it will run until January 17, says a press release.

The campaign is covering 10 signal points — Mohakhali Bus Terminal, Kakoli, Bijoy Sarani, Karwan Bazar, Kadam Fuara, Moghbazar, Gabtoli, Amin Bazar, Sayedabad Bus terminal, Manik Miah Avenue and Nilkhet.

Campaigners are directly interacting with pedestrians, drivers, passengers and vehicle owners to raise awareness about traffic safety, safe mobility and air pollution.

They are also talking to the people about benefits of using footbridge, and importance of traffic rules.

They are distributing leaflets, holding banners and placards to raise awareness among the people.

Source: Daily Sun

Digital supports to manage traffic jam

Till Iftar the city is paralysed for the traffic jam; two to three hours are spent to reach offices and homes. Stressfully all the commuters have to stay in the vehicles. Chaotic roads are bringing people into the sea of anxiety. Furthermore, the days leading to Eid, there will be a huge rush to go home from the City for celebrating the religious festival in one's hometown or village. City dwellers every year have to undergo the hassle and risk of boarding transport at exorbitant cost and often undesirable troubles. Internet and the concept of virtual office must be regarded as one of the methods to ease on going terrific traffic jam. Urban planners, road and highway engineers must focus on the digitalisation of the traffic system. Besides providing solution with modern roads, high-way and bridge the transport authorities must take all of the advantages utilisation of hi-tech. Digitalisation of the traffic signalling and controlling can improve the situation; virtual office is another solution and the traffic department must get tech savvy.
Internet connection throughout the City can be the finest substitute for not going outside of the home almost every day. To some extent, it became needless to attend government offices and business places when you are connected by your home computer with the World Wide Web. If people were to come from suburb areas to Kamlapur Railway Station just for booking a ticket, they run into traffic jam as well as waste valuable time. Now booking a ticket online is an easy task.
There is no specific survey on how many people every day come by bus/railway/launch stations for booking tickets, paying phone-electric-water-gas bills, drawing money from banks and getting information from government and private offices. What will be happening, if they do not need to come to such busy places? If we can bring the city's works into computerisation, certainly our traffic jam will be reduced and citizens can save valuable time. Paying bills and booking tickets are possible from home computer, or if you do not have Internet connection, go to your nearest cyber café or you have a mobile phone that has a computing power too.
Even after the Advanced Research Project Agency (ARPA) of the US Department of Defence planted the seed of Internet in 1969 for connecting computers at some universities, nobody thought the network would end up here. The networking mission called ARPANET was set up for creating a large computer network with multiple paths. Computer scientist of the military and secret services wove their networking formula to save data and information from nuclear attacks and other disasters. It had a safeguard mechanism so that if one side of the network were to be destroyed by attack or damaged by something, the information would be saved and then passed on to the undamaged part of the network.
Manufacturing cost of computers started reducing and the concept of a super computer changed because the 70s computers in big research labs, came to the personal computers at homes, later in laptops. Data storing capacity of a computer is rising day by day, once the information space of a huge computer of the big research labs was only 5 to 10 GB (gigabyte). Price of computer is coming down. Now only 4000 Taka mobile phone is stronger than mainframe computer. For the sever competition and tech penetration at the grassroots level all the hi-tech manufacturing industries depends on making computers affordable for everybody.
Several instances of computerisation in backward societies will be seen during even a cursory reading of IT journals. Many remote areas of the developing countries have been connected to the Web; even a few aboriginal people are provided computers for clicking on icons of online. A latest phenomenon in the field is to use the computer as a tool for poverty alleviation.
Scientific discovery is the result of individual imagination and it cannot be universal until appreciation comes from the public. Its development is dependent on wide spread application. Therefore, dropping of the price of hi-tech commodities is a matter of time.
Some of the government officials (depending on the nature of the work), research persons, teachers, editors of newspapers etcetera do not need to attend offices every day if they have computer with Internet at home. One can even operate one's office computer by using one's home computer; especially if it is paper-based works that require presence neither in the office, nor at home, but only a computer with Internet. A teacher can deliver a class lecture from the home computer. Online exam papers can be examined online. Moreover, a computer can give marks to exam papers that have objective type answers of questions.
We need to develop some especial kind of software, according to the nature of the official duties carried out by city dwellers. Besides promoting software engineers of the country, we have to create paths in the info-world for cyber commuters for well-managed protocol of file transfer. Initiating the best utilisation of computer science from home and cyber café will not only save the city from virtually unmanageable traffic jam, it will contribute to the progress of local software engineers, programmers, IT educationists, IT companies and cyber cafés.
Digitalisation can be a blessing to solving traffic jam. A cyber society can be maintained in a huge-spaced server where all the cyber citizens will have password to enter. Professionals will carry out their assigned responsibilities from their own PCs. The administration or management need to understand that attending office every day for some especial kind of employment duties is not profitable because such presence is not needed to get the work done.

Source: News Today

Banani Flyover Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNSL7xoS-MU

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/74114_10152437166050487_1521682526_n.jpg

Flowers have been planted under Banani flyover; excellent use of space.

Construction of 8km. Moghbazar Combined Flyover has started!:banana:

^ Source ???

^ Source ???

Multiple individuals who work in the moghbazar area have confirmed to me that piling work has started right beside century arcade.

2 or 3 more spread-out flyovers like this one can completely change the look of the city

Piling works have already started
Moghbazar-Mouchak Flyover
Construction starts Feb 16

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i327/mirzazeehan1989/Dhakaproject_zps64a324b8.jpg

The construction of a four-lane, 8.25-kilometre flyover centring Moghbazar and Mouchak will formally begin with the laying of its foundation stone by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on February 16, said the LGRD and cooperatives ministry sources.

The structure, an amalgamation of three flyovers, will be constructed in two years from November 18, 2012, the day the project's contract was signed.

Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) signed the contract with two construction firms -- Simplex Navana JV and MCC (number-4)-SEL-UDC JV, said an LGED official.

The flyover's first part goes from Shat Rasta to Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (FDC) and Holy Family Hospital while the second goes from Eskaton to Rajarbagh Police Lines via Moghbazar crossing, Malibagh and Mouchak.

The third part goes from Mouchak-Shantinagar crossing to Rampura Road via Malibagh rail crossing, he said.

Vehicular access will be eased by 15 ramps -- at Shat Rasta crossing and Rampura Road, and near FDC, Holy Family Hospital, Eskaton, Wirless Gate, Rajarbagh Police Lines and Shantinagar, he added.

Director of the flyover's construction project, Md Nazmul Alam, said the flyover, crossing eight road and two rail crossings, aims to reduce the huge traffic congestion at Shat Rasta, FDC, Moghbazar, Mouchak, Malibagh and Shantinagar intersections.

The flyover will be constructed in coordination with the 20-year Strategic Transport Plan, which aims at removing the ever-increasing traffic congestion in the capital, he said.

Piling works near Orchid Market at Outer Circular Road has already begun last week, said another LGED official.

The LGED is implementing the Tk 772.69 crore project, of which, the government is providing Tk 200.47 crore, Saudi Fund for Development Tk 375.24 crore and OPEC Fund For International Development Tk 196.98 crore.

The project was approved at an Executive Committee of National Economic Council meeting on March 8, 2012.

The LGED in 2005 carried out the project's Tk 3.5 crore-feasibility study, funded by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, said LGED sources.


Source:http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=267549

Hanif Flyover opens March 26

Chairman of Khwaja Mozammel Hoque (R) Foundation (KMRF) giving away scholarships among meritorious students on the Tamai Bohumukhi High School premises in Sirajganj on Monday. About 80 per cent work of the Mayor Hanif Flyover (Gulistan-Jatrabari Flyover) has been completed, officials said, expecting that it would be opened on March 26, reports BSS.
The multi-million-dollar project aims at easing the notorious traffic jam in a part of the city, will connect Kutubkhali in South Jatrabari and Demra to Chankharpool in Dhaka Medical College Hospital area up to Palashi and Azimpur.
“The construction work of Gulistan-Jatrabari flyover is going on in full swing and about 80 per cent work of the project has already been competed,” Project Director of the flyover project and superintendent engineer of Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) M Ashiqur Rahman told the news agency Monday.
Rahman said the construction was delayed to facilitate relocating gas, water and power supply lines from the construction area to other areas to ensure uninterrupted supply of gas, water and electricity to the city dwellers.
“Meantime, we have been able to overcome most of the hurdles that slowed down the construction work of the capital’s longest flyover project,” he added.
The project director said additional manpower with modern technology has been deployed to complete the work by March 26, the latest schedule fixed by the authorities after reviewing the development of the project.
Replying to a query, Rahman said, “The construction work of the flyover is being carried out following the American latest code and maintaining international standard in a full mechanized way.”
Besides, he said, a team of international independent consultants is overseeing the project work to ensure the quality of the construction work.
Rahman said once implemented, the project will ensure a disciplined and time bound transport service and give a respite to the people to some extent in the eight-kilometer route, one of the busiest routes in Dhaka city.
Belhasa Accom and Associates Ltd, an associate company of the Orion Group, is implementing the project at a cost of Tk 2,053 crore on Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) basis, first of its kind in Bangladesh.

Source: Daily Sun

2 or 3 more spread-out flyovers like this one can completely change the look of the city

Piling works have already started
Moghbazar-Mouchak Flyover
Construction starts Feb 16

The construction of a four-lane, 8.25-kilometre flyover centring Moghbazar and Mouchak will formally begin with the laying of its foundation stone by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on February 16, said the LGRD and cooperatives ministry sources.

The structure, an amalgamation of three flyovers, will be constructed in two years from November 18, 2012, the day the project's contract was signed.

Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) signed the contract with two construction firms -- Simplex Navana JV and MCC (number-4)-SEL-UDC JV, said an LGED official.

The flyover's first part goes from Shat Rasta to Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (FDC) and Holy Family Hospital while the second goes from Eskaton to Rajarbagh Police Lines via Moghbazar crossing, Malibagh and Mouchak.

The third part goes from Mouchak-Shantinagar crossing to Rampura Road via Malibagh rail crossing, he said.

Vehicular access will be eased by 15 ramps -- at Shat Rasta crossing and Rampura Road, and near FDC, Holy Family Hospital, Eskaton, Wirless Gate, Rajarbagh Police Lines and Shantinagar, he added.

Director of the flyover's construction project, Md Nazmul Alam, said the flyover, crossing eight road and two rail crossings, aims to reduce the huge traffic congestion at Shat Rasta, FDC, Moghbazar, Mouchak, Malibagh and Shantinagar intersections.

The flyover will be constructed in coordination with the 20-year Strategic Transport Plan, which aims at removing the ever-increasing traffic congestion in the capital, he said.

Piling works near Orchid Market at Outer Circular Road has already begun last week, said another LGED official.

The LGED is implementing the Tk 772.69 crore project, of which, the government is providing Tk 200.47 crore, Saudi Fund for Development Tk 375.24 crore and OPEC Fund For International Development Tk 196.98 crore.

The project was approved at an Executive Committee of National Economic Council meeting on March 8, 2012.

The LGED in 2005 carried out the project's Tk 3.5 crore-feasibility study, funded by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, said LGED sources.


Source:http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=267549

Nov 2014? Wishful thinking with a political handover happening late this year or early next year. Would the bus rapid transit/elevated expressway/metro be going thru this area of the city?

$45m French fund for Dhaka's transport project

Staff Correspondent

France will provide $45 million for the construction of a 20-kilometre bus route between Gazipur and Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, for enhanced road connectivity.

The project will cost $255 million, of which the Asian Development Bank will provide $160 million and the Bangladesh government will provide the rest, according to Economic Relations Division (ERD).

Md Abul Kalam Azad, ERD secretary; Laurent Amar, deputy director of the Asia Department in Agence Francaise de Development of France; and Michel Trinquier, French ambassador, signed the deal yesterday at the auditorium of the National Economic Council in the capital.

Tender for the route's construction will be posted in the next six months, with works expected to start in 2014 and completed by March 2016, an ERD official told The Daily Star.

The project is aimed at establishing a disciplined, time-bound and safe bus service to ease public sufferings due to chaos, poor service and hazards in the conventional transport system.

The route is expected to carry 20,000 passengers per hour in one direction, with the study and design for another route stretching from the airport to Sadarghat is underway.

Source: Daily Star

Kuril Flyover to open in March
It’ll save 7 hours, connect Purbachal new town
Published : Sunday, 03 February 2013

Shamsul Huda

The Tk 1.53 billion and 3.1 kilometer long Kuril Flyover is expected to be opened for traffic in March this year aiming to minimise intersection congestions, help in smooth movement of vehicles and connect Purbachal town with the capital.

The construction company, Project Builders Limited (PBL)'s, Kuril Flyover Project Director Engineer Showkat Hussain said 80 per cent of the total construction work have been completed and construction of box girder and internal 1.93 kilometer road works are going on in full swing.

He said the flyover will help traffic movement in 20 directions and 95 per cent work is expected to be completed by March this year. He said the rest five per cent finishing and some infrastructural works are expected to take another two months.

Rajuk project director for Kuril Flyover Md. Abdul Baki Miah said, "We are hopefully to open the flyover project in early March and initially we are going to open Loop-1,2 and 3 out of four loops."

He said the flyover will facilitate smooth traffic flow to and from destinations of Airport, Banani, Progoti Sarani, Purbachal and Nikunja-1.

Mr. Miah said the flyover project fully funded by the Rajuk has been specially designed to lift the scenic view of the area.

Member Development of Rajuk M. Mahbub Ul Alam said, "We are waiting for the prime minister's consent for a particular date of opening of the Kuril flyover for traffic movement." He said there is confirmation that the PM would open the project by March this year.

The Rajuk Member Development said the flyover would connect the 6000 acres area new Purbachal town with Dhaka city and will cover vehicle movements in 20 directions and to five destinations by saving seven hours time in the Kuril point intersection.

He said currently by over-riding the intersection it will save seven hours time as currently train passes by this intersection 92 times a day.

Mr Alam said, "We are going to open loop-1,2,3 in March and loop-4 would be closed for some time as some infrastructural and finishing works are yet to be completed."

According to data provided by the PBL PD the flyover project's width is 6.7 to 9.2 meter. It consists of two kilometer long road to Purbachal town, total pile 294, pile-cap 69, pier-head 69, PC Girder 101, Deck slab 28 and box girder is 37.

The data also shows that except seven box girder rest of the works are being completed.

The flyover project is jointly constructed by PBL and MBEC of China and the consulting firms are Development Design Consultant Limited, Devine Associated and Acumen Consulting House Limited.

Source: Financial Express

Rapid transit plan put on fast lane


FRIDAY, 08 FEBRUARY 2013 AUTHOR / SOURCE: FAISAL MAHMUD
Dhaka, Feb 7: The completed design of the USD 190-million Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project from the airport to Gazipur has been sent to the communication ministry, sources said. The new design has earmarked two dedicated lanes for bus transit at the two sides of the Airport-Gazipur road, they added. Officials in the communication ministry said the detailed design would be examined at an inter ministerial meeting before being placed before the cabinet.The project director, Md Aminur Rahman Lasker, said the 20-km double-lane rapid route from Gazipur to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport was selected as the best suitable corridor for introduction of BRT.
Rahman said only buses will move with a speed limit up to 100 km through this BRT corridor. For uninterrupted movement of BRT, two level flyovers at Joydebpur Chowrasta and five overpasses on different strategic intersections were also proposed in the detailed design, he added. He said in the previous design, the BRT lanes were proposed at the middle two lanes of the road. “But this would have created problems in unloading passengers at bus stops.
So the BRT lanes were fixed on the outer sides of the road”, he said.Rahman said one terminal, one depot and 31 stations were proposed in the BRT. “After the BRT project is completed, more than 200 special buses will be brought to ply those on the BRT lanes,” he said. He said that the airport-Gazipur BRT would reduce the traffic load of 29 different routes along the Dhaka-Gazipur highway.
More than 60,000 people come to the central part of Dhaka daily for various purposes and another 60,000 go out of the capital city daily after finishing their jobs, he added.
In Dhaka, about three lakh vehicular trips are generated daily by these people and more than 1,000 bus trips are required daily to bring these people to Dhaka, another 1,000 bus trips are required daily to take them out of Dhaka, he added.
Talking with The Independent, Dr Sarwar Jahan, professor of urban and regional planning department of BUET, said the number of public transport vehicles has increased by only 10 per cent in the last 10 years as against a 65 per cent increase in the private sector.
He said the BRT can solve the problem of traffic jams by sketching three aspects of geometric design-exclusive bus lane, locating and designing bus stoppages and non-motorised vehicles’ lanes which is essential for system efficiency of BRT.
“We have to realize that without a proper public transport system, the traffic condition in the capital will not improve, no matter how many bypasses, expressways or flyovers are constructed”, he said. He, however, added that the government needed to ensure that BRT was going to be used only for buses. “Otherwise, people in private cars and other moods of transport will switch lanes and use the BRT corridor”, he added.
Meanwhile, Dr Moazzem Hossain, professor of civil engineering of BUET and designer of the Airport-Sadarghat BRT, told The Independent that he has been repeatedly saying that construction work of the two BRTs should begin simultaneously.
“BRT is a continuous structure and the one on the airport-Gazipur route cannot reduce the traffic gridlock as the buses then would have to use the roads after completing their journey on the BRT,” Dr Moazzem said.
He said the construction of the two BRTs should be coordinated. As the private mode of traffic isn’t being checked by the government transport policy, the traffic congestion would increase if construction of the Airport-Gazipur BRT starts without the Airport-Sadarghat BRT, he added.

Source: The Independent

DCC North to ‘get 70 parking lots’

SATURDAY, 09 FEBRUARY 2013 AUTHOR / SOURCE: UNB
DHAKA, FEB 8: Dhaka City Corporation (DCC), North will set up 70 parking lots in an effort to ease the capital’s perennial car parking problem which also contributes to traffic congestions every day. “More than 70 roadside places under DCC North will be turned into parking lots to help ease the city’s nagging gridlock to a great extent and restore discipline in vehicular movement,” DCC North’s Chief Estate Officer Md Fashiullah told UNB. According to official sources, there over 6 vehicles in the city, including 4.5 lakh private cars and two-wheelers, and the city suffer from awesome traffic congestions every day causing the loss of effective man-hours.
Fashiullah said a big patch of land has already been made a parking lot in Karwanbazar area and work is underway to modernise it.
Besides Karwanbazaar, Fashiullah said, 69 other roadside places under Gulshan, Uttara, Mirpur and Banani police stations have been earmarked for parking lots. “These spots will be developed soon,” he said.
As car parking problem is worsening day by day, the DCC Estate officer said committees have been formed to identify and develop car parking spots at public places, deserted spots besides streets and roads.
He said the chief executives of DCC zonal offices will head the committees, incorporating representatives from Dhaka Metropolitan Police and DMP Traffic.
The committee has been assigned to find spots fit for parking cars. Not only that, he said, the committee will also take care of the car parking lots and collect toll from cars that will use those.
Fashiullah said Tk 10 will be realised from every car that will use the parking spots under the DCC North. The toll money will help increase DCC`s revenue earning, he claimed.
Besides, he said, vacant roadside lands and footpaths, government lands and spaces marked as abandoned ones will be identified by the committee as land for building shops and markets and to be developed accordingly by the DCC North for temporarily renting out to the public.
He said for lack of car parking facilities, vehicles are being haphazardly parked on city streets even in busy areas, creating severe traffic congestions during peak hours.

Source: The Independent

BRTC begins trial run of imported articulated buses

http://www.fe-bd.com/images/news_image_2013-02-12_22019.jpg

Munima Sultana

Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) began trial run of the imported articulated buses from Saturday midnight to experience driving of the first of its kind of passenger transport in the city's roads.

BRTC has received 30 articulated buses out of 50 from India under the country's US $ 1.2 billion credit line.

Officials said the buses were run from Joydevpur to Motijheel from midnight to around 2am during these days and they did not find any problem in plying particularly turning the long buses.

"Running of the articulated buses in the existing city road structure is possible", BRTC director (Technical) Abdullahel Karim said.

He said: "The five articulated buses were on trial run at night and faced no problem in turning on the entire route while crossing areas like Mohakhali, Farmgate, Shahbagh and Press Club and finally to reach Motijheel Shapla Chattar and Joydevpur."

He, however, said the corporation will take a go slow policy to ply all the buses in the city due to lack of enough experienced drivers.

BRTC imported the articulated buses having length of 54 feet and height of 11 feet with passenger carrying capacity of around 120 people.

Plying of these kinds of vehicles needs either dedicated lane or a disciplined road system with comparatively a straight road for driving as the length of these buses are twice the normal bus size for having two rigid bodies connected by a pivoting joint.

The officials said, the BRTC took the initiative of importing with opinions from who experts who suggested the plying of the buses in some existing roads.

They said as articulated buses are slow, turning and running of these vehicles are possible in a congested road.

"Only some support would be necessary from the traffic police to allow the articulated buses to move and take smooth turning," said an official.

Meanwhile, the BRTC took the decision to launch five buses on the street and will increase the number gradually by providing adequate training to drivers.

The officials said with the help of Indian drivers, training to over 15 drivers have been provided in BRTC Gazipur training school since January 19.

They said being a new type of transport, the drivers are still shaky in driving and need longer time to earn sufficient experience.

"We are now planning to launch five articulated buses in the city after the inauguration of the new bus service by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on February 17. The number of buses will be increased by five in phases after drivers complete their training," the BRTC director told the FE.

Source: Financial Express

DCC North to ‘get 70 parking lots’

SATURDAY, 09 FEBRUARY 2013 AUTHOR / SOURCE: UNB
DHAKA, FEB 8: Dhaka City Corporation (DCC), North will set up 70 parking lots in an effort to ease the capital’s perennial car parking problem which also contributes to traffic congestions every day. “More than 70 roadside places under DCC North will be turned into parking lots to help ease the city’s nagging gridlock to a great extent and restore discipline in vehicular movement,” DCC North’s Chief Estate Officer Md Fashiullah told UNB. According to official sources, there over 6 vehicles in the city, including 4.5 lakh private cars and two-wheelers, and the city suffer from awesome traffic congestions every day causing the loss of effective man-hours.
Fashiullah said a big patch of land has already been made a parking lot in Karwanbazar area and work is underway to modernise it.
Besides Karwanbazaar, Fashiullah said, 69 other roadside places under Gulshan, Uttara, Mirpur and Banani police stations have been earmarked for parking lots. “These spots will be developed soon,” he said.
As car parking problem is worsening day by day, the DCC Estate officer said committees have been formed to identify and develop car parking spots at public places, deserted spots besides streets and roads.
He said the chief executives of DCC zonal offices will head the committees, incorporating representatives from Dhaka Metropolitan Police and DMP Traffic.
The committee has been assigned to find spots fit for parking cars. Not only that, he said, the committee will also take care of the car parking lots and collect toll from cars that will use those.
Fashiullah said Tk 10 will be realised from every car that will use the parking spots under the DCC North. The toll money will help increase DCC`s revenue earning, he claimed.
Besides, he said, vacant roadside lands and footpaths, government lands and spaces marked as abandoned ones will be identified by the committee as land for building shops and markets and to be developed accordingly by the DCC North for temporarily renting out to the public.
He said for lack of car parking facilities, vehicles are being haphazardly parked on city streets even in busy areas, creating severe traffic congestions during peak hours.

Source: The Independent

That could and should have been done a long time ago,but I guess better late than never

PM to open work on Moghbazar-Malibagh flyover tomorrow


Munima Sultana

Work on Moghbazar-Malibagh flyover will begin tomorrow (Saturday). The 8.0 km-long flyover aims at easing acute traffic congestion in and around the area.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the construction work at the site of Moghbazar rail crossing.

The 8.25 kilometre (km)-long flyover has been designed to ease gridlock in Tejgaon, Moghbazar, Mouchak, Malibagh, Shantinagar and Bangla Motor areas where commuters spend hours every day.

The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) has taken the initiative to construct the Tk 7.72 billion flyover.

"We have already started piling work at Sat Masjid crossing," said project director Nazrul Islam said.

He said two award winning firms under joint venture have already completed necessary preparation to start the work on flyover.

Danish and Bangladesh joint venture firm-Simplex-Navana-and Bangladesh-India joint venture firm-MCCC-4 ACL-ODC will complete the construction in two years.

Project office sources said Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) has provided Tk 3.75 billion and OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) Tk 1.96 billion to the flyover project while the government will contribute Tk 2.0 billion.

However, the project office sources said they have been working with other government agencies keeping in mind the challenges in carrying out the work in the congested roads with heavy traffic movement.

"The coming days will be challenging for us to manage traffic congestion as the entire area is one of the busiest roads," said the PD.

Though the four-lane flyover project was undertaken in 2006, it was expedited in 2009 when the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) extended financial support to carry out the feasibility study.

Source: Financial Express

PM inaugurates articulated buses in city today

Munima Sultana

Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) launches articulated buses, the first of its kind, in the city today (Sunday) taking the challenge of smooth driving of the horizontal twin vehicles on congested roads.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the 54-seat buses, imported under the US $ 1.0 billion Indian line of credit, on her office premises at a ceremony on the day.

Officials said the decision to launch the articulated buses was taken after their trial run on the route during the last one week and development of skills of the drivers.

The BRTC received 30 articulated buses out of 50 from India under the credit line.

The BRTC officials said initially five buses would be on the streets and the number would increase gradually.

Though the BRTC found no problem with driving the articulated buses from Joydevpur to Motijheel at midnight, traffic experts, however, sounded skeptical about easy movement of the horizontal buses on the already-congested city streets.

They said during the day time when the pressure of traffic on the roads remains always severe, running of the buses would not be easy.

They also sounded skeptical about its efficacy in easing the traffic congestion.

Professor Shamsul Hoque, an expert of Strategic Transport Plan (STP), the city's 20 years transport policy guideline, said it is comparatively easy to embark and disembark an articulated bus because of its several doors. But some pre-requisites are needed to be met to make the service passenger-friendly and successful in reducing traffic congestion.

"Before introduction of the new bus service, it is necessary to adopt a policy aimed at improving the city's bus routes and bringing discipline on the streets," he told the FE.

Prof Hoque said the government has to go for improving the system of bus transport as per the STP guideline rather than increasing the number of buses for the city.

The BRTC imported about 290 double-decker buses from India along with the articulated buses under the US $ 1.0 billion credit line, which can carry almost the same number of passengers vertically and horizontally.

Every such articulated bus measures 54 feet in length and 11 feet in height with the capacity of carrying around 120 passengers at a time.

These vehicles need either a dedicated lane or a disciplined road, comparatively a straight road for driving as the length of these buses are twice the normal bus size because of two rigid bodies connected by a pivoting joint.

Source: Financial Express

Solar panel yet to power any city traffic signals

Shahin Akhter

The authorities have not yet installed any solar panel at the existing 70 signal posts in the capital even about four years after the project was initiated.
The installation of solar panels at 70 old signals posts is scheduled to be completed in May while the construction of 30 new signal posts, along with the installation of solar panel there, is scheduled to be completed by December.
According to the Dhaka South City Corporation officials, the five-year (2009 to 2014) Clean Air and Sustainable Environment Project, funded by the World Bank, aims to save electricity and run traffic signals round the clock by solar power.
The CASE project director, Mohammad Shehab Ullah, has told New Age that about 20 per cent of spare parts of solar panels, from China, India and the United States of America, have reached Chittagong recently.
‘We will get all spare parts within March,’ he said, adding ‘So far digging at 50 per cent of the existing 70 traffic signals has been completed.’
Shehab, also a DSCC superintending engineer, said they would be able to install all the solar panels at all the 70 signals within the deadline of May this year.
Under the project, he said, 30 more solar-powered traffic signal posts would be set up and solar panels would be installed at these posts by December 2013.
‘Digging work to lay foundation of signals is ongoing,’ the director added.
Another official of the project, however, has told New Age that the work for installing solar panels at the existing traffic signals started in the current month.
‘It will take longer time to be completed,’ the source added.
A senior official of the south city corporation (traffic division) has told New Age that there is no use installing solar panels at the traffic signals as it is not cost-effective.
‘Total cost for installing solar panels has been fixed at about Tk 15 crore, which is actually waste of public money as signals do not need to function 24 hours,’ he said.
According to the DSCC, under the World Bank-funded Dhaka Urban Transport Project, 70 traffic signals were installed at the city’s major intersections, including Shahbagh, Karwan Bazar, Mouchak and Science Laboratory crossing in 2005.
At present traffic police were manually controlling the movement of vehicles even at busy interjections like Shahbagh, Bangla Motors, Sonargaon crossing, Farmgate, Mouchak, Shantinagar and Kakrail since October last as these traffic signals were out of order.

Source: New Age

Solar panel yet to power any city traffic signals

Shahin Akhter

The authorities have not yet installed any solar panel at the existing 70 signal posts in the capital even about four years after the project was initiated.
The installation of solar panels at 70 old signals posts is scheduled to be completed in May while the construction of 30 new signal posts, along with the installation of solar panel there, is scheduled to be completed by December.
According to the Dhaka South City Corporation officials, the five-year (2009 to 2014) Clean Air and Sustainable Environment Project, funded by the World Bank, aims to save electricity and run traffic signals round the clock by solar power.
The CASE project director, Mohammad Shehab Ullah, has told New Age that about 20 per cent of spare parts of solar panels, from China, India and the United States of America, have reached Chittagong recently.
‘We will get all spare parts within March,’ he said, adding ‘So far digging at 50 per cent of the existing 70 traffic signals has been completed.’
Shehab, also a DSCC superintending engineer, said they would be able to install all the solar panels at all the 70 signals within the deadline of May this year.
Under the project, he said, 30 more solar-powered traffic signal posts would be set up and solar panels would be installed at these posts by December 2013.
‘Digging work to lay foundation of signals is ongoing,’ the director added.
Another official of the project, however, has told New Age that the work for installing solar panels at the existing traffic signals started in the current month.
‘It will take longer time to be completed,’ the source added.
A senior official of the south city corporation (traffic division) has told New Age that there is no use installing solar panels at the traffic signals as it is not cost-effective.
‘Total cost for installing solar panels has been fixed at about Tk 15 crore, which is actually waste of public money as signals do not need to function 24 hours,’ he said.
According to the DSCC, under the World Bank-funded Dhaka Urban Transport Project, 70 traffic signals were installed at the city’s major intersections, including Shahbagh, Karwan Bazar, Mouchak and Science Laboratory crossing in 2005.
At present traffic police were manually controlling the movement of vehicles even at busy interjections like Shahbagh, Bangla Motors, Sonargaon crossing, Farmgate, Mouchak, Shantinagar and Kakrail since October last as these traffic signals were out of order.

Source: New Age

What's the point? Hardly any of them (the traffic signals) appear to function, and then most appear not to obey them. Better to spend the money to power the street lamps through solar energy.

PM lays foundation stone of Moghbazar-Mouchak flyover

Saturday, 16 February 2013

http://www.daily-sun.com/admin/news_images/411/thumbnails/image_411_90270.jpg

DHAKA: Laying emphasis on gearing up development activities, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said all will have to work together putting behind the differences of path and opinion to establish a middle-income Bangladesh by 2021.

The Prime Minister said this after laying the foundation stone of the much-expected Moghbazar-Mouchak (integrated) Flyover, aiming to ease the city's nagging traffic congestion.

The 8.25-km flyover has been designed to ease gridlock in eight intersections of the capital Satrasta, FDC, Moghbazar, Mouchak, Malibagh, Shantinagar, Rampura Chowdhurypara and Ramna thana where commuters have to spend hours together every day.

The Moghbazar-Mouchak flyover project will be implemented by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) under the Ministry of LGRD and Cooperatives. The estimated cost of the four-lane flyover would be Tk 772.70 crore.

Of the amount, Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) will provide Tk 375.25 crore, while OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) Tk 196.98 crore. The rest Tk 200.47 crore will come from the national exchequer, said officials.

Once the flyover project is implemented, the movement of vehicles in Dhaka city from north to south and from south to north will be much easier.

Danish and Bangladesh joint venture firm-Simplex-Navana-and Bangladesh-India joint venture firm-MCCC-4 ACL-ODC will complete the construction in two years.

After assuming office in 2009, the Prime Minister said, her government took a number of big projects under ‘Strategic Transport Plan’, including building of Kurhil, Banani, Jatrabari and Khilgaon flyovers to remove traffic jam in Dhaka.

As part of this, Moghbazar-Mouchak flyover is being constructed to create a network with these flyovers to ease plying of vehicles in the capital, she said.

Sheikh Hasina said Dhaka Urban Transport Authority suggested in 1999 to construct a number of infrastructures, including flyovers, interchange and underpasses as well as to develop public transport
system aiming to remove traffic congestion.

In the light of this suggestion, a Detailed Project Plan was submitted to the Planning Ministry after feasibility study that was conducted under Kwait Fund on constructing Mogbhazar-Mouchak Flyover, she said.

Hasina hoped that with the completion of this flyover, the traffic jam in Satrasta turning point, FDC, Moghbazar, Mouchak, Shantinagar, Malibagh, Rampura Chowdhuryparha and Ramna Thana Turning Point will be removed.

Terming Awami League a party of the common people, Sheikh Hasina said her party always works for the welfare and development of the country as it has constructed 11 large bridges and flyovers on roads and highways.

Besides, about 19,250 kilometers of road and over one lakh 31,000 meters of bridges and culverts have been constructed across the country to develop village infrastructures in the last four years,
she said.

Sheikh Hasina mentioned that overall traffic situation in Dhaka will improve significantly after the opening of the flyovers on Mirpur-Airport Road, Kuril Multipurpose and Gulistan-Jatrabari
Flyovers.

She said construction works of 26 kilometer-long elevated expressway is progressing fast while approval has been given for the Metro Rail project.

Referring to the recently inaugurated Hatirjheel project, the Prime Minister said it has been playing a very important role in reducing traffic jam side by side protecting the environment of the capital.

The function was addressed, among others, by Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr. Abudllah Bin Nasir Al Bussairy, State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Jahangir Kabir Nanak, local MPs Asaduzzaman Khan, Saber Hossain Chowdhury and Rashed Khan Menon.

http://theindependentbd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=155960:pm-lays-foundation-stone-of-moghbazar-mouchak-flyover&catid=187:online-edition&Itemid=223

PM lays foundation stone of Moghbazar-Mouchak flyover

Saturday, 16 February 2013

DHAKA: Laying emphasis on gearing up development activities, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said all will have to work together putting behind the differences of path and opinion to establish a middle-income Bangladesh by 2021.

The Prime Minister said this after laying the foundation stone of the much-expected Moghbazar-Mouchak (integrated) Flyover, aiming to ease the city's nagging traffic congestion.

..........................

http://theindependentbd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=155960:pm-lays-foundation-stone-of-moghbazar-mouchak-flyover&catid=187:online-edition&Itemid=223

Two comments:

The country's PM must have plenty of time in her hand to busy herself with such local ceremonial events. Why does everything in Bangladesh have to go through such ceremonies? There's the foundation stone laying, then ground breaking, then inauguration and whatever comes next. We don't come across such meaningless ceremonies other than in the subcontinent.

The "city's nagging traffic congestion" isn't going to be alleviated let alone eliminated by these flyovers. Expect congestion on these flyovers in a couple of years.

Two comments:

The country's PM must have plenty of time in her hand to busy herself with such local ceremonial events. Why does everything in Bangladesh have to go through such ceremonies? There's the foundation stone laying, then ground breaking, then inauguration and whatever comes next. We don't come across such meaningless ceremonies other than in the subcontinent.

The "city's nagging traffic congestion" isn't going to be alleviated let alone eliminated by these flyovers. Expect congestion on these flyovers in a couple of years.

I know there's a plaque next to all important buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure mentioning the name of a prominent dignitary in Bangladesh who did the ground breaking or laid the foundation stone. I wonder if these are removed or painted over like other signs whenever parties change power.

When people are petty things like this are significant. This jives with the other trend that I mentioned in Aviation about chamchas availing a place in an official entourage.

Balu Bridge opens to traffic Mar 16
Published : Thursday, 21 February 2013

Balu Bridge, a new gateway of the capital constructed under Parbachal New Town Project, opens to public on March 16. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will formally inaugurate the bridge along with the Kuril flyover. The Rajdhani Unnayan Kartipakkha (RAJUK) has constructed the bridge at a cost of Tk 320 million (32 crore). — BSS

Articulated bus service launched
Published : Thursday, 21 February 2013

Articulated bus service was inaugurated on the Dhaka-Joydevpur route Wednesday. The new buses will start from Joydevpur and run through Dhaka bypass, National University, Tongi, Abdullahpur, Uttara, Hajicamp, Army Stadium, Kakoli, Bijoy Sarani, Farmgate, Shahbagh, Matsha Bhaban, Press Club and Zero Point. — bdnews24.com

Articulated bus service launched
Published : Thursday, 21 February 2013

Articulated bus service was inaugurated on the Dhaka-Joydevpur route Wednesday. The new buses will start from Joydevpur and run through Dhaka bypass, National University, Tongi, Abdullahpur, Uttara, Hajicamp, Army Stadium, Kakoli, Bijoy Sarani, Farmgate, Shahbagh, Matsha Bhaban, Press Club and Zero Point. — bdnews24.com

These so-called "articulated bus" launched are nothing but an eyesore, more like a joke!

PM to open Mirpur-Airport road flyover on March 27


SATURDAY, 02 MARCH 2013 AUTHOR / SOURCE: STAFF REPORTER
DHAKA, MAR 1: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the 1.75 km-long Mirpur-Airport Road flyover on March 27, said communications minister Obaidul Quader on Friday. The flyover would help ease traffic snarls, he added. “The progress of the flyover work is satisfactory. We hope to open it on March 27, three months ahead of the scheduled date of completion,” he told reporters after visiting the site. The communication minister said the Mirpur-Airport Road flyover will be a milestone in the east-west road links in the city. Quader said the Army’s 16 Engineer Construction Battalion, under Special Works Organisation (SWO-West), began the Tk. 180 crore project on March, 2010, with the target to complete the work by June 2013. Project director Brig. Gen. Abu Sayed Mohammad Masud said once the flyover is inaugurated, people will be able to cross the Dhaka Cantonment in just 10 minutes. He said the government has recently opened the long-awaited Hatirjheel project and it is attracting people with its scenic splendour.
On May 8 last year, the National Economic Council (ECNEC) executive committee approved the revised project on the construction of Mirpur-Airport Road flyover and the overpass at the Banani rail crossing, pushing the costs to Tk .360 crore from the original outlay of Tk. 191.68 crore.

Source: The Independent

A World Bank 300 Coti taka project is currently going on in the city. This project includes repaving and striping of Shyamoli Ring Rd to Tikkapara, repaving and striping of selected Mohammadpur roads, repaving and striping of roads at Mohammadpur A Block, 28 new footover bridges under Dhaka North City Corporation including an escalator footover bridge at Old Airport Road in Banani, finishing works on the under-construction 25 storied building with multiple floored parking lot at Dilkusha, installation of over 100 new solar-powered traffic signals (with battery backup) across the city and repaving and striping of selected Khilgaon roads.

Moghbazar-Mouchak flyover
Construction work goes on with few challenges

Friday, March 8, 2013

http://www.newagebd.com/newspic/210dc9453a9efae29ee87afad31aba7f20130307.jpg

The work of the 8.25-kilometre Moghbazar-Mouchak flyover is going on.

Once completed, it will ease traffic congestion by facilitating the north-to-south traffic of the Dhaka city, project officials said.

The Moghbazar-Mouchak Flyover project director, Mohammad Nazmul Alam, said that the two-year project would be implemented in time though there were some challenges.

The prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, on February 16 inaugurated the project scheduled to be completed in February 2015.

According to the project office, under the Local Government Engineering Department, uninterrupted vehicular movement would be easier over Maghbazar-Mouchak areas’ eight turnings and two rail crossings after the flyover construction would be finished.

These turnings are Satrasta, FDC, Moghbazar, Mouchak, Shantinagar, Malibagh, Chowdhurypara (Rampura) and Ramna thana and the rail crossing are Moghbazar and Malibagh.

This project allows vehicles to easily run towards’ the city’s North and South ends, which will ease the entire area’s traffic congestion.

Nazmul Alam, also an LGED executive engineer, told New Age on Wednesday that this project was a very vital one under the Strategic Transport Plan.

‘Look, Dhaka is a built-up city and it is difficult to build anything new inside a city like this,’ he said and added that at present the piling work of the flyover was going on.

The project director said it would not be possible to stop vehicular movement in these busy areas during the construction work, which is a big challenge.

Nazmul Alam said they had sent letters to different utility service provider authorities to realign their underground infrastructure for helping the flyover’s construction.

‘We are hoping that we would be able to complete the project within the scheduled time,’ he said.
Nazmul further said the up and down ramps of the three-storey flyover would be separate to ensure the maximum use of roads.
The flyover would contain a total of 15 ramps.

The total project cost is Tk 772.7 crore of which the Bangladesh government will give Tk 200.47 crore, Saudi Fund for Development Tk 375.25 crore and OPEC Fund for International Development about Tk 196 crore are jointly financing the project.

The contractor companies are Danish-Bangladesh joint venture firm — Simplex-Navana and Bangladesh-India joint venture firm — MCCC-4 ACL-ODC.

Australian firm SMEC International and its three local associates ACE Consultants Limited, SARM Associates Limited and Kranti Associates Limited are working as consulting firms for the project.

http://www.newagebd.com/detail.php?date=2013-03-08&nid=42258#.UTxDyze6eKA

A World Bank 300 Coti taka project is currently going on in the city. This project includes repaving and striping of Shyamoli Ring Rd to Tikkapara, repaving and striping of selected Mohammadpur roads, repaving and striping of roads at Mohammadpur A Block, 28 new footover bridges under Dhaka North City Corporation including an escalator footover bridge at Old Airport Road in Banani, finishing works on the under-construction 25 storied building with multiple floored parking lot at Dilkusha, installation of over 100 new solar-powered traffic signals (with battery backup) across the city and repaving and striping of selected Khilgaon roads.
:shocked: "Ring road"? Is that a misnomer?!

Anyways, (1a) the angles at which the ramps meet the flyover have to be decreased, (b) the lanes near them widened, (2) and the road junctions (on land) that deviate from the path that leads to the flyover, set much further from the end. Otherwise, you pretty much end up with the situation in Banani. If you know what I mean...

:shocked: "Ring road"? Is that a misnomer?!

Should actually be called a boulevard because of the tree island in the middle.

9,000 new CNG auto-rickshaws to hit Dhaka, Ctg streets

Communications Minister Obaidul Quader on Wednesday said 9,000 four-stroke three- wheeler CNG auto- rickshaws would be added to Dhaka and the country's commercial capital Chittagong in the next 45 days, reports BSS.
"There is no bar to replace the CNG auto-rickshaws in the capital due to withdrawal of a writ petition filed in the High Court," he told newsmen after a coordination meeting at the ministry's conference room.
Roads and Highways Division Secretary MAN Siddique, Chief Engineer of Roads and Highways Department Aminur Rahman Laskar, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) Chairman Ayubur Rhaman Khan, Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) executive director Aftab Uddin Talukder, Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) director Nikhil Chandra Roy, among others, were present at the meeting.
Quader said with the addition of 5000 new compressed natural gas (CNG) run three- wheeler, Dhaka city will have a total of 20,696 while Chittagong 17,000, adding, "Separate mobile courts will monitor and control the fare to give relief to the passengers."
The minister said the government has taken special initiative to activate the Mirpur Vehicle Inspection Centre (VICs) while the rest four across the country will be activated in phases.
"An agreement to this effect will be signed with the Korea International Co- operation Agency (KOICA) on March 18," Quader said.
Besides, the important files of BRTA will be digitized.
The minister said 81 buses of the state-run BRTC were damaged by the hartal pickets recently causing a loss of taka 3.55 crore.

Source: News Today

9,000 new CNG auto-rickshaws to hit Dhaka, Ctg streets

Communications Minister Obaidul Quader on Wednesday said 9,000 four-stroke three- wheeler CNG auto- rickshaws would be added to Dhaka and the country's commercial capital Chittagong in the next 45 days, reports BSS.
"There is no bar to replace the CNG auto-rickshaws in the capital due to withdrawal of a writ petition filed in the High Court," he told newsmen after a coordination meeting at the ministry's conference room.
Roads and Highways Division Secretary MAN Siddique, Chief Engineer of Roads and Highways Department Aminur Rahman Laskar, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) Chairman Ayubur Rhaman Khan, Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) executive director Aftab Uddin Talukder, Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) director Nikhil Chandra Roy, among others, were present at the meeting.
Quader said with the addition of 5000 new compressed natural gas (CNG) run three- wheeler, Dhaka city will have a total of 20,696 while Chittagong 17,000, adding, "Separate mobile courts will monitor and control the fare to give relief to the passengers."
The minister said the government has taken special initiative to activate the Mirpur Vehicle Inspection Centre (VICs) while the rest four across the country will be activated in phases.
"An agreement to this effect will be signed with the Korea International Co- operation Agency (KOICA) on March 18," Quader said.
Besides, the important files of BRTA will be digitized.
The minister said 81 buses of the state-run BRTC were damaged by the hartal pickets recently causing a loss of taka 3.55 crore.

Source: News Today

What happened to the 1000 taxis Mr Obaidul promised to be deployed in Dhaka by January 2013? No trace of them...

2 or 3 more spread-out flyovers like this one can completely change the look of the city

Piling works have already started
Moghbazar-Mouchak Flyover
Construction starts Feb 16

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i327/mirzazeehan1989/Dhakaproject_zps64a324b8.jpg

The construction of a four-lane, 8.25-kilometre flyover centring Moghbazar and Mouchak will formally begin with the laying of its foundation stone by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on February 16, said the LGRD and cooperatives ministry sources.

The structure, an amalgamation of three flyovers, will be constructed in two years from November 18, 2012, the day the project's contract was signed.

Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) signed the contract with two construction firms -- Simplex Navana JV and MCC (number-4)-SEL-UDC JV, said an LGED official.

The flyover's first part goes from Shat Rasta to Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (FDC) and Holy Family Hospital while the second goes from Eskaton to Rajarbagh Police Lines via Moghbazar crossing, Malibagh and Mouchak.

The third part goes from Mouchak-Shantinagar crossing to Rampura Road via Malibagh rail crossing, he said.

Vehicular access will be eased by 15 ramps -- at Shat Rasta crossing and Rampura Road, and near FDC, Holy Family Hospital, Eskaton, Wirless Gate, Rajarbagh Police Lines and Shantinagar, he added.

Director of the flyover's construction project, Md Nazmul Alam, said the flyover, crossing eight road and two rail crossings, aims to reduce the huge traffic congestion at Shat Rasta, FDC, Moghbazar, Mouchak, Malibagh and Shantinagar intersections.

The flyover will be constructed in coordination with the 20-year Strategic Transport Plan, which aims at removing the ever-increasing traffic congestion in the capital, he said.

Piling works near Orchid Market at Outer Circular Road has already begun last week, said another LGED official.

The LGED is implementing the Tk 772.69 crore project, of which, the government is providing Tk 200.47 crore, Saudi Fund for Development Tk 375.24 crore and OPEC Fund For International Development Tk 196.98 crore.

The project was approved at an Executive Committee of National Economic Council meeting on March 8, 2012.

The LGED in 2005 carried out the project's Tk 3.5 crore-feasibility study, funded by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, said LGED sources.


Source:http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=267549


Hopefully these flyovers are not being built for fashion and image only but rather because there was an unavoidable technical need. But this flyover is a bit harder to understand the advantages. All that it seems to be doing (given the diagram) is to duplicate the road for a short distance. The only feature of significance that I read so far is that it bridges 2 rail crossings. Can anyone else see any other technical advantage to justice spending on this flyover?

Hopefully these flyovers are not being built for fashion and image only but rather because there was an unavoidable technical need. But this flyover is a bit harder to understand the advantages. All that it seems to be doing (given the diagram) is to duplicate the road for a short distance. The only feature of significance that I read so far is that it bridges 2 rail crossings. Can anyone else see any other technical advantage to justice spending on this flyover?

I think the main purpose of this flyover is to allow people to avoid 8 intersections from satrasta more to malibagh intersection.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/dhakastreets150.jpg

What location is this ? I have never seen a road which has green space like parkland on both sides of the road.

Some of Dhaka's 2004 pictures look clean and fresh, but the population back then was less. Some of the recent photos of Dhaka doesn't look clean and fresh even though it has more smart looking buildings (apart from the new Hatirjheel area) ?

One of the nicest roundabouts is the Sangsad Bhaban road entry one because it has been left alone into neat clean lines of green planting and
not over crowded with statutes, animals or very high sculptures.

A beautiful roundabout

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/dhakastreets157.jpg

Here it is, the best roundabout in Dhaka, its beauty is its simplicity, and it has neat clean lines that give the place a smarter look and meaning to the area.

Entrance to the airport one is so mixed up it just looks confused. Before, the junction by Sheraton hotel, there used to be nice and simple bordered greenery with a fountain, now there is a massive statue of horse and carriage and it is just not the right place for it , whether that statue is related to Bangladesh's history or not I don't know, but if it is, it should be in a museum.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/dhakastreets100.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/dhakastreets101.jpg

Where is this road?, It looks so nice and green and neat.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/dhakastreets80.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/dhakastreets129-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/dhakastreets147.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/dhakastreets153.jpg
I am referring to the last picture, ie the road with the plantings in the centre. Does anyone know why that particular species of trees is chosen and not something like Palm varieties ?

photo credit: Ershad Ahmed

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/dhakastreets77.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/dhakastreets157.jpg
The picture just above, is this a new road ? I have never seen these before. Does anyone know what area it is ?

[QUOTE=samaruf;52769809]I had posted it along with a bunch of other ridiculous ones. Here it is:

http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww343/samaruf/Bangladesh%20Signs/image008.jpg[/QUOTE

Ha ha ha ha, this one has caused me stitches in my stomach.

Where was this sign ? Has anyone reported it for correction ?

:lol:
I could care less whether they are Maruti or Mercedes! All I know is that adding more cars on the streets of Dhaka will exacerbate the gridlock.


Agreed, we also don't want too many buses, what the city needs is a good
Cross section of metro lines as it is the train that takes thousands of people off the street and therefore reduce vehicle quantity.

These so-called "articulated bus" launched are nothing but an eyesore, more like a joke!

When I read this news I was horrified. In the UK these buses have been stopped as they are not economical at all as compared to the double Decker nor are they easy to manuvoure. They are unpopular , and India knows this but as it has an over production of this unpopular model, guess what ? Who else would dumb enough to buy an unpopular model than Bangladesh? as Hasina is so smitten by India's advice on all things ?

When I read this news I was horrified. In the UK these buses have been stopped as they are not economical at all as compared to the double Decker nor are they easy to manuvoure. They are unpopular , and India knows this but as it has an over production of this unpopular model, guess what ? Who else would dumb enough to buy an unpopular model than Bangladesh? as Hasina is so smitten by India's advice on all things ?

Can you be more specific with the term economical ? I mean how are they not economical? I have seen these busses in Banani and it seemed to work fine. They are used extensively in Canada and never heard of any complaints either..

Can you be more specific with the term economical ? I mean how are they not economical? I have seen these busses in Banani and it seemed to work fine. They are used extensively in Canada and never heard of any complaints either..

Yep, the most common mode of transport in Mississauga, Ontario.

Can you be more specific with the term economical ? I mean how are they not economical? I have seen these busses in Banani and it seemed to work fine. They are used extensively in Canada and never heard of any complaints either..

In a congested city, where parking space has still not been sorted out and let's admit, Dhaka hardly looks like some roads in Srilanka, (not that I have visited Srilanka but from what I have seen in U tubes) it means they will need a lot longer bus parking space, and all the while add to tail back traffic given that there are no strict parking rules in Bangladesh. Their design means there are occupying more of the road than a double Decker. Just as ordinary incomed people including middleclass cannot afford the space for gardens surrounding a detached house, so we have a flat system that goes upward.

America has great big roads and people follow traffic rules so the length of the buses need not be a problem there.

I saw those buses work fine in Chicago, and that is a pretty congested city with narrow roads.

I think those buses would be fine.

I saw those buses work fine in Chicago, and that is a pretty congested city with narrow roads.

I think those buses would be fine.

Well its hard parking on Mirpur road with a normal car, I can't imagine where the parking space is going to be coming from. A bus such as this will not for most of the time find its full Length space, so it will end up having its back side stick out at an angle which will be holding traffic up. Besides if one is stuck behind one of these, it will take a lot longer time to overtake and it will be riskier. In Bangladesh cars are parked besides the shops so a bus like
this will literally be stopping in the middle of the road, so it will have an impact on adding to the traffic. I don't know about Chicago, but UK roads are narrow and so car parking is restricted in the city and police strictly control traffic laws, and even then these buses have been withdrawn from its streets.

Well its hard parking on Mirpur road with a normal car, I can't imagine where the parking space is going to be coming from. A bus such as this will not for most of the time find its full Length space, so it will end up having its back side stick out at an angle which will be holding traffic up. Besides if one is stuck behind one of these, it will take a lot longer time to overtake and it will be riskier. In Bangladesh cars are parked besides the shops so a bus like
this will literally be stopping in the middle of the road, so it will have an impact on adding to the traffic. I don't know about Chicago, but UK roads are narrow and so car parking is restricted in the city and police strictly control traffic laws, and even then these buses have been withdrawn from its streets.

You first said not economical, but now u mention about traffic this mode of transport can create...
Either ways you are mistaken.

-First and foremost such busses are relatively more economical in terms of number of commuters it can carry against cost of running and maintainance compared to ordinary busses.
-Secondly these busses only carry passengers on roads wide enough to drive them.
-Thirdly more than 75% of the vehicles plying in the roads of Dhaka are Passenger cars. Its the cars that create greatest traffic. Now if we even assume 5 people per car, against atleast 60 people in such articulated busses, than this one bus affectively reduces the nessessity for 12 cars.

You first said not economical, but now u mention about traffic this mode of transport can create...
Either ways you are mistaken.

-First and foremost such busses are relatively more economical in terms of number of commuters it can carry against cost of running and maintainance compared to ordinary busses.
-Secondly these busses only carry passengers on roads wide enough to drive them.
-Thirdly more than 75% of the vehicles plying in the roads of Dhaka are Passenger cars. Its the cars that create greatest traffic. Now if we even assume 5 people per car, against atleast 60 people in such articulated busses, than this one bus affectively reduces the nessessity for 12 cars.

I was comparing between bus designs and not between bus versus cars. Of course buses carry more passengers than cars but my assessment was about the fact that the long bendy bus is not a good design for Bangladesh, I didn't say I object to the institution of bus services altogether !

Compared to the double Decker this lengthways expansion is a traffic hazard.

Articulated buses to be launched in 4 cities

Shahin Akhter

The Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation is going to launch articulated bus service in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Barisal and Khulna cities on March 26 by putting two buses in service in each of the cities.
Four more articulated buses will be gradually put in service on Rangpur and Sylhet city roads, said the corporation officials.
Each of the 50 articulated buses, made by Ashok Leyland and procured with an Indian credit, costs Tk 80.19 lakh and can accommodate about 120 to 130 passengers — 58 seating and the rest standing.
BRTC acting chairman Mohammad Abdullahel Karim told New Age on Tuesday that they would run 38 articulated buses on Dhaka city roads and 12 in six other divisional cities.
Mayors of Chittagong, Rajshahi, Barisal and Khulna cities would inaugurate two buses in each city corporation, he said.
‘We are hoping to launch two buses in Rangpur and two more in Sylhet city by the first week of April,’ he said.
Abdullahel Karim said at present a total of 26 articulated buses had already reached the corporation’s workshop at Gazipur while the rest would arrive by April.
Earlier, on February 20, communications minister Obaidul Quader inaugurated articulated bus service in the capital by putting 10 buses in service on the Shimultali of Gazipur-Joydevpur-Tongi-Uttara-Mohakhali-Farmgate-Shahbagh-Press Club-Zero Point route while the rest were put on the same route with an extension from Zero Point to Motijheel Shapla Square via Gulistan.
‘Recently we have launched some articulated buses on the Balughat-Motijheel-Balughat route in the capital,’ the acting BRTC chairman said.
Indian instructors were providing training to 60 drivers of double-decker bus, he added.
However, the corporation is yet to introduce ticketing system for these buses in the capital.
An articulated bus comprises two rigid sections linked by a pivoting joint. It requires a 10.45 metre turning radius compared to 10.05 metre needed for a normal bus, and because of its slow pace, an articulated bus is able to stop more frequently to pick or drop passengers, BRTC official say.

Source: New Age

Shahbag's undying appeal: Saving its glory through architectural renovation
Published : Thursday, 21 March 2013


Md Ikram Uddin Sunny

The Shahbag Square in Dhaka has long been recognised as a centre where is raised people's voice. The Shahbag area is situated between Ward-56 and Ward-57 of South Dhaka City Corporation. It connects two vital areas, namely, Gulistan and Farmgate. The large physical structures nearby are Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Birdem Hospital and the National Museum. The recreational zones like Shishu Park, Ramna Park and Suhrawardy Uddyan are also there. The vast area includes Dhaka University's TSC, Bangla Academy and important educational institutions and centres such as the Institute of Fine Arts and the Public Library.

Every day, the city's major public transport hub, located at the Shahbag intersection, is serving the demands of a frenzied traffic movement and the commuters. The venue has become the junction-point of two contrasting sections of the metropolis - the old Dhaka and the new Dhaka.

Shahbag, once a sprawling garden of the Nawabs of Dhaka, now wears a colourful look with several types of temporary street-side shopping arrays. The place boasts of the largest wholesale market of flowers in Dhaka. Shahbag has long been a venue of leisurely activities that include myriad types of cultural functions and book-related fairs, film festivals etc are held on the nearby Public Library premises and its auditorium and the National Museum hall round the year. The whole area remains agog with book lovers throughout the month of February, when Amar Ekushey Boi Mela is held every year at Bangla Academy.

Historical background: During the Mughal period, Bag-e-Badshahi was the name of a large tract of land encompassing the area interspersed with gardens. In 1840, Khawja Ajimullah bought these gardens from the British authorities. Later, during 1870-71, Khawja Ahsanullah decided to construct a garden-house there and bought the present Arts Faculty area which stood on 200 bighas of land in total. The area was named Shahbag after the 1870s, when a new garden-house was constructed in the area.

Political movements: The Language Movement of 1952, the Six-point Movement of 1966, the historical speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on March 07 in 1971, the surrender of the Pakistan occupation army on December 16 in 1971 - all these are important political happenings that took place in and around Shahbag. The historic venue is the place where the Bengalees have implanted their indomitable spirit of freedom and justice.

Evolution: The features of Shahbag have gone through reforms in terms of many dynamic facilities with the passage of time. The evolution can be sketched with the founding of Dhaka Municipality in 1830, the establishment of Ramna Park of a plain green land by the planner Patrick Geddes in 1917, and the opening of the Shahbag Hotel, presently BSMMU, in 1944. We should also not forget the establishment of Dacca Club in 1911 by the British colonial traders. The Shahbag visuals remain incomplete unless we give a prominent place to the now- abolished Race Course. It was later named Suhrawardy Uddyan. After all this, no significant changes, except the felling of the towering Shaal trees on the road island beside Dhaka Club and Ramna Green, and dismantling of the ceramic fountain in the middle of the intersection beside the then Shahbag Hotel, took place in the area.

Social and cultural aspects: The social interaction among the people visiting the Shahbag area is felt by the spectacles of flower sales, decoration of wedding cars with flowers, snack corners etc. Add to these the pharmacies in a line along the passage-way on the ground floor of the popularly known PG Hospital, the books and boutique corner at Aziz Cooperative Market. A lot of cultural programmes in celebration of Bangla New Year's Day Pahela Baisakh, Basonto Boron (Welcoming Spring), Borsha Boron (Welcoming Monsoon), the Valentine's Day, etc. are organised by the jovial young men and women around Shahbag round the year. In fact, one cannot feel the cultural pulse of the capital's middle-class people unless he or she visits the place.

Contextual problems: Many places of historical importance have got amazingly new looks except Shahbag having enormous potential. It received little attention from the government agencies. Many problems still exist there which are continuously diminishing the attraction of this place.

The footpath location is quite functional but their height and slope compared to the main road have made them difficult for use by women, children and the elderly. The waste disposal units are not in proper locations. There is no proper on-street rickshaw parking space near the venue, which is creating unexpected traffic congestion due to the irregular stoppages of the rickshaws on the road. Sometimes accidents result in tragic end of valuable lives due to the inconsiderate occupation of the road intersection by the rickshaws. The zebra-crossing also is not integrated with the footpaths suitably for ascending to and descending from the footpath which leads to trouble for the pedestrians. The design of the over-bridge between the BSMMU and BIRDEM is not attractive enough which can draw the attention of pedestrians to use it.

Hawkers having no proper place with their temporary markets on the footpath disturb the walking pedestrians. The bus ticket counters are located occupying a substantial part of the footpath opposite the old radio station also reduce the walking space for the people on move. As the flower market at Shahbag has been doing brisk business for many years, the whole footpath section there remains choked, shoving the people into the main road which during the rush hours causes a lot of trouble to them. The authorities, if they want to enhance the beauty of the area, can designate a broader place for the wholesale flower market.

Architectural design for the area: Shahbag has a rich background upholding our eventful past, historically and politically. The place has long been witness to educational, political and socio-cultural regeneration in different phases. The length and breadth of the area could be made lovelier by putting in place innovative architectural designs. Designing the public space with provisions for promenade, an esplanade to be precise, formal and informal seating arrangements along with placing of sculptures in between those spaces will attract pedestrians to a place of pure leisure. In this stifling and pollution-filled metropolis, Shahbag could emerge as a charming place to pass time for recreation-starved people. The temporary flower market ought to be renovated to turn it into a permanent structure. What it needs is some 'architectural touches'. The foot over-bridge can be redesigned with architectural reshaping that will help the pedestrians feel the aesthetic beauty of the area more vividly. The air pollution of Shahbag can be reduced by relocating and redesigning the waste disposal units. Placing trees in the public space of the Shahbag area can provide natural shades, pure air, and make a buffer zone detached from noise and also create a pleasant 'micro-climate'. It is only through redesigning the area with integrated vegetations that the place can undergo the changes.

http://www.fe-bd.com/more_img/news_image_163899_1190.jpg

The proposed design location:
a) The adjacent space of National Museum: For many years, the road-side space in front of the National Museum has been kept lying without proper use or utilisation. Most of the time several pushcarts are seen at that place, where the vendors do the business of packaged snacks and traditional light foods (fuchka, chatpoti etc.). A large space beside the footpath is occupied by them and the rest is being just wasted as it remains vacant. This unutilised space can be redesigned by turning the whole space into a public plaza. Some formal sitting arrangements, alongside medium or large trees, can be considered. The said space could be a comfortable stop-over for the people passing by the nearby road at high summer noon. Also it will be an ideal venue for the Bengalee Adda. Nowadays, quite a good number of people of different ages and classes pass their leisure-time in the afternoon and evening loitering on that space, but with least comfort. The design-proposal sees the plaza slightly lowered from the ground level, so that the space a little downward can be transformed into a secluded garden-space, which will make it an aesthetically pleasant place for passing time.

http://www.fe-bd.com/more_img/news_image_163899_1191.jpg

b) The adjacent space of BSMMU:
The people who have to use the route near the Shahbag intersection usually gather in front of the BSMMU and wait for buses regularly. As the public buses do not have any fixed timetable here, sometimes that causes a huge waste of time for the commuters to get transports. The space is needed to be redesigned in compatible to with natural function. A waiting place with comfortable environment can be made on aesthetical architectural design near BSMMU. Here the proposed design for this place is to provide some rows of seating arrangement with natural tree shades. Due to this architecturally designed spot, people will enjoy sitting or standing here until their expected bus arrives.

http://www.fe-bd.com/more_img/news_image_163899_1192.jpg

c) The foot over-bridge nearby: The busy roads near the Shahbag intersection are causing accidents frequently. Although there are two foot over-bridges - one connecting BSMMU to Birdem and the other on the southern area of the Birdem Hospital - these remain almost unused. This increases the rate of road accidents at the spot. The proposal of aesthetically designed foot over-bridges will attract people to the vital structures. The proposed design might be unconventional and, therefore, a little expensive. This design will offer the users an exceptional experience of enjoying a ride.

http://www.fe-bd.com/more_img/news_image_163899_1193.jpg

d) The permanent space and structure of flower market: The flower market at Shahbag has become a part of the area. For the lack of proper space to run their business smoothly, the shopkeepers occupy the footpath illegally which forces the pedestrians to drop themselves onto the adjacent road. The wholesale flower market is light-structured and very vulnerable to extreme weather conditions. So, redesigning the makeshift shops, along with proper placement, will lead to hazard-free activities here.

http://www.fe-bd.com/more_img/news_image_163899_1194.jpg

Architecture gives a particular space a time-value containing glorious echoes of history, besides preparing us to look forward to the future. Architecture always stands for ease and comfort in life. But it also keeps discovering the freshness of perception and the innovative traits of humans. In order to save the glory of Shahbag, the proposed architectural steps need to be undertaken on an urgent basis.
The writer is an architect (B. Arch, BUET), and Masters
candidate in Urban and Regional Planning.
saifulpdb@yahoo.com

I saw those buses work fine in Chicago, and that is a pretty congested city with narrow roads.

I think those buses would be fine.

But these buses are an eyesore!! What are they thinking, importing Indian-made piece of metal/plastic called Ashok Leyland when there are awesome brands like Mercedes/Volvo/Man/Solaris who produce a fine range of articulated buses! Shame on our govt seriously :bash:

But these buses are an eyesore!! What are they thinking, importing Indian-made piece of metal/plastic called Ashok Leyland when there are awesome brands like Mercedes/Volvo/Man/Solaris who produce a fine range of articulated buses! Shame on our govt seriously :bash:

Thank you Manazir, I seem to be fighting this alone. I imagined there would be other suppliers , I am sure Britain would be most happy to export its double Decker and even the old ones are not in the condition some of Bangladesh's existing set are in. Its amazing how dreadful the buses are in Bangladesh, with rickety metal sides bent in by numerous accidents already.
And I wonder where they get their existing bus fleets because they are worse than anything I have seen in UK's historical bus pictures !

Thank you Manazir, I seem to be fighting this alone. I imagined there would be other suppliers , I am sure Britain would be most happy to export its double Decker and even the old ones are not in the condition some of Bangladesh's existing set are in. Its amazing how dreadful the buses are in Bangladesh, with rickety metal sides bent in by numerous accidents already.
And I wonder where they get their existing bus fleets because they are worse than anything I have seen in UK's historical bus pictures !

Here's my take on buses in Bangladesh. About 6-7 years ago, the govt. procured really nice looking and expensive Volvo buses for plying between Uttara and Motijheel. But within less than 3 years, each bus was rendered into a "murir tin" due to Dhaka's horrendous traffic and the ubiquitous lack of maintenance. Now they rot in a graveyard next to the local garbage dump in Uttara having not seen even 1/4th of their road life.

We could get fancy brand name accordion(term used in MN) buses but if prior history is any guideline, these will be rendered ugly pretty fast. The govt. does not have a good record of maintaining anything once built or put into service.

But these buses are an eyesore!! What are they thinking, importing Indian-made piece of metal/plastic called Ashok Leyland when there are awesome brands like Mercedes/Volvo/Man/Solaris

Money does not come out of our asses. Well maybe if the rich paid their due share of taxes.

Bijoysharani-Tejgaon link road
Photos: Ershad Ahmed

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZPf1HUBNpK4/S92vCxKHxpI/AAAAAAAASt8/w8KeSrsj3Oo/s1600/7744.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZPf1HUBNpK4/S92uzoqeLGI/AAAAAAAASt0/SOOOc4DulZo/s1600/7745.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZPf1HUBNpK4/S92uj7UxD8I/AAAAAAAASts/5cEj0ZoWx7c/s1600/7746.jpg

I remember when there was a Range building at the end of the Sangsad Bhaban roads that pour into the airport road, is this picture of the roads that were built after the Rangs building was demolished ? If so why or how can it have caused more traffic then improved the flow away from the airport road ?

Here's my take on buses in Bangladesh. About 6-7 years ago, the govt. procured really nice looking and expensive Volvo buses for plying between Uttara and Motijheel. But within less than 3 years, each bus was rendered into a "murir tin" due to Dhaka's horrendous traffic and the ubiquitous lack of maintenance. Now they rot in a graveyard next to the local garbage dump in Uttara having not seen even 1/4th of their road life.

We could get fancy brand name accordion(term used in MN) buses but if prior history is any guideline, these will be rendered ugly pretty fast. The govt. does not have a good record of maintaining anything once built or put into service.

Then how is it possible for the private long distance bus companies to keep their buses (Volvo, Korean, Japanese and other brands) in good working order?

^^ some public buses have to ply even on hartals. And so they face the wrath of the hartal supporters. The private buses actually remain off-road during hartals.

Also, competition between private sector bus companies keep the buses in good conditions.

^^ some public buses have to ply even on hartals. And so they face the wrath of the hartal supporters. The private buses actually remain off-road during hartals.

Also, competition between private sector bus companies keep the buses in good conditions.

And private sector people- at least in the comparatively better companies, fear for their jobs while a public sector employee knows he has his job for the next 20 years no matter how many times he gets the bus hit.

Money does not come out of our asses. Well maybe if the rich paid their due share of taxes.

That's because your government is complicit in the scheme of not paying their "due share".

^^ Huh? Government pay due share?

photo credit: Ershad Ahmed

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/dhakastreets77.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/Bangladesh/bangladesh1/Bangladesh2/Bangladesh3/dhakastreets157.jpg

Does anyone know which road this is ?, Is it a new construction in Dhaka ?

I remember when there was a Range building at the end of the Sangsad Bhaban roads that pour into the airport road, is this picture of the roads that were built after the Rangs building was demolished ? If so why or how can it have caused more traffic then improved the flow away from the airport road ?

These are photos from a couple days after inauguration. The flyover simply adds to the amount of roads in the city.

Money does not come out of our asses. Well maybe if the rich paid their due share of taxes.

Money isn't a big issue here, corruption is the main devil!

Does anyone know which road this is ?, Is it a new construction in Dhaka ?

The one below is Dhaka Cantonment.

The one below is Dhaka Cantonment.

Thanks , I wondered why it looked neat, its the army's.

Mirpur-Airport flyover and trumpet exchange to be inaugurated on Wednesday


Video showcasing how it will work - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWO6tHXjZQ4

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/541162_548661575173906_346064326_n.jpg

http://d30fl32nd2baj9.cloudfront.net/media/2013/03/25/10_mirpur-airport-flyover_250313.jpg/ALTERNATES/w540/10_Mirpur+Airport+Flyover_250313.jpg

http://d30fl32nd2baj9.cloudfront.net/media/2013/03/25/07_mirpur-airport-flyover_250313.jpg/ALTERNATES/w540/07_Mirpur+Airport+Flyover_250313.jpg

http://d30fl32nd2baj9.cloudfront.net/media/2013/03/25/13_mirpur-airport-flyover_250313.jpg/ALTERNATES/w640/13_Mirpur+Airport+Flyover_250313.jpg

I just realized that the east side of Airport Road is just retention ponds. Perhaps, this leaves room for expansion for the upcoming bus rapid transit lanes or expanding the road?

Tejgaon-Gulshan link-bridge opens

Dhaka, July 23: The Tejgaon-Gulshan link bridge was formally inaugurated to traffic on Monday. State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Jahangir Kabir Nanok inaugurated the 40-meter long link bridge. Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) constructed the link bridge spending Tk 7 crore, said a PID handout. Speaking on the occasion, Nanok said the city dwellers are now getting better utility services after its bifurcation.
He said the perennial traffic congestion in the city will ease with the completion of the ongoing projects - roads, link roads, underpass and flyovers.
DNCC Administrator Shajahan Ali Mollah, Asaduzzman Khan Kamal, MP, and LGRD secretary Abu Alam Shahid Khan were present at the inaugural function.

Source: Independent
Anyone got a picture of this bridge ?