Installation of such a modern signalling system at the city intersections would bring unbearable traffic jam under control, Mayor Sadeq Hossain Khoka told the journalists after inauguration of the system at Circle-2.

"But the city dwellers have to abide by the rules," he said.

Special features of this system include central monitoring of the signals stationed at the Nagar Bhaban, determination of peak, off-peak and normal period on the basis of traffic movement.

The signal system will have a pushbutton switch for pedestrians' road crossing, a loop detector in the middle of road to count the number of vehicles and this information will automatically set the movement timing.

The central monitoring station will easily detect any fault in the signal system and measures will be taken to repair it instantly.

Khoka said that any major city should have avenues in 25 per cent of its total area but Dhaka city has only six per cent, which is a major reason for traffic jam.

However, despite the automated signalling, present manpower of traffic department would remain in the ground to enforce law against violators, as the volume of traffic is quite large, he said.

Progress of the work so far includes import of all necessary equipment, completion of base foundation work at 36 intersections and installation of equipment on signal poles at 22 intersections, according to the DCC source.

Dhaka City Corporation has been implementing installation of 59 traffic signals funded by World Bank under the Dhaka Urban Transport Project. The work contract was awarded to ATS Technology (Hong Kong) Ltd. in February last year and is expected to be completed by September.

The total cost of the contract is Tk13.01 crore.