"We have assigned three of our staff to provide the channel with updated information, but they [Betar] are not transmitting the facts on time," alleged Ansar Uddin Khan Pathan, DC traffic (South) of DMP.

He claimed that the DMP Traffic Division is sending updated traffic information to the channel in every ten minutes. But the Betar officials blamed the DMP for non-cooperation in smooth running of the channel.

The objective of the channel launched on May 26 is to make the drivers aware of traffic rules and notify them of points of traffic jam and accidents.

The channel starts transmission in 103 megahertz (MHZ) of FM band at 7:30am and ends at 11:30am. Another four-hour shift starts at 3:30pm.

A hotline telephone has been installed to send information from the control room at Shahbagh to Bangladesh Betar. But Betar sources claimed they need some more equipment for smooth transmission from the channel.

The Betar officials said they need digital audio control for mixing sound, CD recorders, microphones and a dedicated studio to transmitter link (STL).

The Traffic Division officials said they have already sent a letter to the director general (DG) of Bangladesh Betar stating that the channel is not transmitting updated information provided by the control room.

Betar sources complained of lack of cooperation from the traffic police. They said two traffic sergeants or inspectors are supposed to come to the Bangladesh Betar station to work for the channel. A radio control room has been set up for the two police personnel, but no one come from the DMP.

DG of Bangladesh Betar Nazmul Ahsan said the channel has started operating despite some limitations and lack of logistic support. "For example, we transmitted information about August 9 waterlogging in the city to inform drivers of waterlogged areas. It definitely helped the commuters," he said.

"We are trying to run the programme as effectively as possible," Nazmul claimed, adding that the channel was launched without necessary logistic support.

A small number of drivers and commuters know that a traffic radio channel has been launched. Due to lack of advertisement it is still unknown to most people.

A taxi driver who listened to the channel on a few occasions said both the presentation style and time of the programme should be changed. He complained that the channel transmits traffic rules from outdated books.