DHAKA : Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today reviewed the progress of key infrastructure projects designed to ease traffic congestion in the capital.

The projects include development of a circular road network and effective use of surrounding waterways.

The review was held at the Cabinet Division conference room in the Secretariat.

PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Mostafa Zulfiquar Hasan said the meeting focused on how the proposed infrastructure projects would improve traffic flow and reduce congestion across the capital.

The Prime Minister was briefed on the latest progress of the Dhaka Inner Circular Ring Road project, which will extend from Gabtoli to Babubazar and from Postogola to Demra, he said.
 
Construction of the ring road is currently underway at Rayerbazar, Hazaribagh and Kamrangirchar sections. About 45 percent work of the 12-kilometre route has been completed, officials informed the meeting.

The circular road, once its construction is completed, would allow vehicles travelling to Sylhet, Mawa and Chattogram to bypass Dhaka's inner roads, significantly reducing traffic pressure on the city.
The meeting also discussed the potential of the 110-kilometre river route surrounding Dhaka to complement the road network. 

Once operational, the circular waterway is expected to provide an alternative mode of transport, enabling commuters to travel efficiently between different parts of the capital while easing the burden on city roads.

Experts attending the meeting presented the technical aspects of the projects, saying that the use of electric-powered water transport would reduce environment pollution, lower fuel consumption and shorten travel times.

Administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation Abdus Salam, Secretary of the Local Government Division Shahidul Hassan, Secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Division Dr. Mohammed Ziaul Haque, Shipping Secretary Zakaria, Railways Secretary Fahmidul Islam, BIWTA Chairman Muhidul Islam and BUET professors Khan Mahmud Amanat and Hadiuzzaman were present.