Four more bus terminals will be built around Dhaka to restore order in the capital's public transport system, according to the Mayors of Dhaka's two city corporations.
Two mayors were of the opinion that inter-district buses should not enter the capital city and only city services should operate inside the city areas.
The two mayors were speaking to reporters after inspecting land in Bhatulia and Birulia areas of Savar in Dhaka on Wednesday morning.
They made the visit as part of the implementation of the Bus Route Rationalization Committee set up to restore order and reduce traffic congestion in the capital's public transport.
During the visit, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh said 10 sites have been identified for the construction of the inter-district bus terminals. Four sites among those could be acceptable, Taposh said.
Atiqul Islam, Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), said 29 companies used to operate 160 buses on the route from Ghatarchar to Motijheel. We have taken the initiative to turn it into a company.
He said city buses will run inside the city. Buses from different districts will stop at designated bus terminals around Dhaka. This will stop the competition among the buses plying in the city streets.
The two mayors said Gabtoli, Mohakhali and Sayedabad bus terminals would be operated as city terminals.
Responding to a question from reporters, Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh said experts have initially identified 10 places for the construction of the Inter-District bus terminals. We have selected four from those. The rest of the places are far away. These will not be usable. He added that if the four places could be identified on the basis of everyone's opinion, construction of the terminal would begin next year.
Meanwhile, mayor Atiqul Islam said they have talked to the bus owners and workers. They all want city buses to run in the city only to bring back order to the city transport.
He said buses from different districts will stop at designated bus terminals around Dhaka. This will stop the unusual bus competition in the city.
Barrister Taposh said the terminal set-up would be implemented fully in Birulia and Hemayetpur areas, and work would be started on the basis of feasibility. Dhaka's residents will get the advantage if the initiative is implemented. Besides, the public transport system will come into discipline as well, reports our Savar Correspondent.
He further said, earlier we held multiple meetings under Dhaka Coordination Transport Authority, and took initiatives to bring the public transport under discipline, and following the initiatives we visited two of the spots today.
"We liked these two places in Savar. Despite many obstacles, we are moving forward with determination, and we hope the initiative will be implemented soon", Taposh added.