In another move to ease traffic congestion in Dhaka, the government yesterday divided the capital into seven zones and fixed separate weekly holidays for shops, shopping arcades and other commercial establishments.
The decision, made at a regular cabinet meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair, will be in force immediately.
Earlier, the government set fresh timings for the city's schools and private offices in an attempt to reduce congestion.
After the meeting at the Cabinet Division of the Secretariat, Prime Minister's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad told reporters that the government had taken up various initiatives to ease congestion in the city. "Dividing the city into zones is part of that," he added.
ZONE-1
Shops, markets and commercial establishments of this zone will remain closed for the entire day on Friday and half a day on Saturday.
The zone covers Banglabazar, Patuatuli, Farashganj, Shyambazar, Jurain, Postagola, Shyampur, Dholaipar, Gendaria, Doyaganj, Dholaikhal, Mir Hazirbagh, Tipu Sultan Road, Dhupkhola, Wari, Ahsan Manjil, Lalbagh, Kotwali, Bangshal, Nawabpur, Chankharpul, southern part of Gulistan, Joy Kali Temple area and south-western side of Jatrabari.
It means the book markets in Banglabazar, the timber markets in Farashganj, the wholesale market for raw-material in Shyambazar, Buriganga Shetu Market, Alam Super Market, Samad Super Market, Rahmania Super Market, Idris Super Market, Doyaganj Bazar, Dhupkhola Math Bazar, Chokbazar, Babu Bazar, Naya Bazar, Kaptan Bazar, Thathari Bazar, Rajdhani Super Market, Doyaganj City Corporation Market, the cloth stores in Islampur, Patuatuli Electronic and Optical markets, Chhoto Katra and Baro Katra wholesale markets, Sharif Mansion, the electronics and machinery markets in Tanti Bazar and Nawabpur Road, sanitary product shops on North South Road, Azimpur Super Market, Gulistan Hawkers' Market (South), Phulbaria Market and Sundarban Square Market will remain closed on Friday and remain open for half a day on Saturday.
ZONE-2
Sunday has been fixed a full-day holiday while Monday a half-day for the zone, which includes Rampura, Banasree, Khilgaon, Goran, a portion of Malibagh, Bashabo, Madartek, Mugda, Manda, Sabujbagh, east side of Kamalapur, Maniknagar, Dhalpur, Saidabad, a part of Jatrabari, Demra, Shanir Akhra, Rayerbagh, Shanarpar and Dania.
Mollah Tower, Al-Amin Super Market, Rampura Super Market, Malibagh Super Market, Taltola City Corporation Market, Kamalapur Stadium Market, Goran Bazar, Meradia Bazar, Abedin Tower, Dhaka Shopping Centre, Ayesha-Mosharraf Shopping Complex, Dania Tejarat Super Market and Mitali and Friends Super Market are in this zone.
ZONE-3
Eskaton, Moghbazar, Baily Road, Siddheswari, Malibagh, Shahjahanpur, Shaheedbagh, Shantibagh, Shantinagar, Fakirerpul, Paltan, Motijheel, Tikatuli, Gopibagh, Arambagh, Dilkusha, Segunbagicha, Kakrail, Bijoynagar, Topkhana Road, Press Club, High Court Mazar, north side of Gulistan, Ramna Park, Suhrawardy Udyan, Shishu Park, Dhaka University and Eden College area are in this zone.
Century Arcade, Mouchak Market, Anarkoli Market, Bishal Centre, Ayesha Shopping Complex, Karnaphuli Garden City, Concord Twin Towers, Eastern Plus, Polwel Super Market, City Heart, Jonaki Super Market, Gazi Bhaban, Paltan Super Market, Stadium Market-1 and -2, Gulistan Complex, Ramna Bhaban, Khaddar Market, Pir Yemeni Market, Baitul Mukarram Market, Aziz Cooperative Market and Sakura Market are in zone-3. These will remain closed on Thursday followed by a half-day holiday on Friday.
ZONE-4
Shops, shopping arcades and other commercial establishments in this zone will remain closed on Tuesday and have a half-day holiday on Wednesday.
This zone comprises Karwan Bazar, Kathalbagan, Hatirpul, Manik Mia Avenue, Rajabazar, Indira Road, Monipuripara, Tejturibazar, Tejkunipara, Farm Gate, a section of Tejgaon, Nilkhet, Kataban, Elephant Road, Kalabagan, Sukrabad, Sobhanbagh, New Elephant Road, Dhanmondi, Hazaribagh, Jigatala, Pilkhana, Rayerbazar and a part of Lalmatia.
Prominent markets in this zone are: Hatirpul Bazar, Motalib Plaza, Eastern Plaza, Bashundhara City Shopping Mall, Green Super Market, Farm View Super Market, Saudia Super Market, Sezan Point, Lion Shopping Centre, New Market, Chandrima Market, New Super Market, Gausia Market, Chandi Chawk Market, Noor Mansion, Bakusha Market, Islami Market, Dhanmondi Hawkers' Market, Eastern Mollika, Globe Shopping, Badruddoza Market, Noorjahan Market, Priyangon Shopping, Gaosul Azam Market, markets on Elephant Road, Rifles Square, ARA Shopping Centre, Orchard Point, Capital Market, Dhanmondi Plaza, Momtaz Plaza, Metro Shopping Mall, Prince Plaza, Rapa Plaza, Orchid Plaza, Anam Rangs Plaza and Karwan Bazar DIT Market and Kitchen Market.
ZONE-5
The full-day holiday for this zone is Thursday while half-day holiday Friday. The zone includes Mohammadpur, Adabor, Shyamoli, Gabtoli, Mirpur-1 and 2, Mirpur Mazar and stadium area, Dhaka Zoo area, Technical, Kalyanpur, Asadgate and Lalmatia area.
Mohammadpur Town Hall Market and Krishi Market, Aarong, BRTC Market, Shyamoli Hall Market, Muktijoddha Super Market, Mazar Cooperative Market, Mukto Bangla Shopping Complex, Shah Ali Super Market, and Mirpur Stadium Market are also in this zone.
ZONE-6
Markets and businesses in this zone will remain closed on Sunday and have a half-day holiday Monday.
The areas here are Agargaon, Taltola, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Sheorapara, Kazipara, Pallabi, Mirpur- 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14, Ibrahimpur, Kachukhet, Kafrul, Mohakhali new and old DOHS, Kakoli, Tejgaon old airport area, Cantonment, Gulshan-1 and -2, Banani, Mohakhali commercial area, Nakhalpara, Tejgaon industrial area and Mohakhali inter-city bus terminal area.
BCS Computer City, Pallabi Shopping Complex, Mirpur Benaroshi Palli, Purabi Super Market, New Society Market, Mohammadia Society Market, DCC Market at Gulshan-1 and at Gulshan-2, Banani Super Market, Tamanna Complex and Sweden Plaza are the prominent markets in this zone.
ZONE-7
Shops, markets and other commercial establishments in this zone will enjoy full holiday Wednesday and half-day holiday on Thursday.
Madhya and Uttar Badda, Jagannathpur, Bashundhara residential area, Satarkul, Shahzadpur, Kuril, Nikunja-1 and -2, Khilkhet, Uttarkhan, Dokkhinkhan, Joar Sahara, Ashkona, the entire Uttara Model Town, Kuril to south edge of Tongi Bridge and Airport Road area are under this zone.
A half-day holiday means the markets can remain open till 2:00pm. On other days, apart from the whole day holiday, they will remain open until 8:00pm. "No shops, markets or commercial establishments will remain open after 8:00pm," the press secretary told journalists.
The cabinet expressed gratitude to the almighty that the convicted killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman have been executed.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 03:09 AM GMT+06:00 (196 weeks ago)
I do not know if this movement is gonna help or not since we need better and planned infrastructure but happy to see at least there is an initiative to help us-the people of DHAKA...
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 03:45 AM GMT+06:00 (196 weeks ago)
This is good short term solution but with ever increasing population the city needs long term solution like underground or sky rails. City planners also need to decide whether there is a need for every Govt or semi office to be stationed in Dhaka.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 05:07 AM GMT+06:00 (196 weeks ago)
What a decision of our government!!! Shutting down the country to ease traffic jam! How about solving the problem? How about building metro trains, fly overs, express highways, etc?
How in the world we can afford to decrease our economic output/activities when we need to increase our current GDP 6 plus % just to eleviate proverty?
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 05:10 AM GMT+06:00 (196 weeks ago)
Its a good ideal if they manage it properly and apply it properly. Every one have known that we have good plan, however we do not have good management and enforcement. On the other hand, i think so, its a temporary solution. Our Govt. have to long time plan to produces power that should be a good solution.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 05:54 AM GMT+06:00 (196 weeks ago)
Has this plan been thought through?
It is likely to increase congestion in areas that are open as people travel there who would previously have gone to the areas now closed.A better way is to introduce one-way systems in all congested areas - this makes traffic flow far smoother and increases the traffic carrying capacity of roads.A longer term solution, but one that needs to be started now, is to decentralize away from Dhaka and towards the other cities. The government should set an example by moving major departments. They should encourage business and industry to move by setting up EPZ and Industrial Estates in those areas, giving priority to power projects there and selling large blocks of land for major housing, educational and health care projects.
Decentralizing away from Dhaka is also an insurance policy against an earthquake. Imagine if, God forbid, a Haiti sized earthquake hit Dhaka. With most of central government disabled and most of the country's industry incapacitated who will rescue the survivors and restart the economy?
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 07:34 AM GMT+06:00 (196 weeks ago)
I was in Bangladesh earlier this year for a month and the traffic jam took away half of my holidays. Hopefully the newly implemented traffic scheme will reduce the jam in Dhaka. I'm glad to see that the government is finally taking some initiatives to deal with the traffic issue.
Looking forward to seeing some positive outcomes.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 09:28 AM GMT+06:00 (196 weeks ago)
This is a unique and innovative idea to improve the existing traffic situation in which we are getting held up which is absolutely intolerable. However, the authority concerned should try to find alternative strategy to resolve the issue. It is wondering that people are wasted invaluable time at least 4-5 hours in each day on the way to office or during their movement to other places around the Dhaka city. Therefore, it needs to rethink that in total, how much time is being killed similarly how much resources are being wasted in each day due to traffic congestion at the city like Dhaka. Authority has absolutely failed to take appropriate solution till now as it needs to find alternative and pragmatic strategy immediately. The nation wants to rid of them from the prevailing traffic congestion.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 10:07 AM GMT+06:00 (196 weeks ago)
No steps will reduce traffic congestion in Dhaka until decentralization. All HQ of financial institutions should be replaced in Khulna, Sylhet, Commercial institutions in Chittagong, Agricultural institutions in Mymenshing, IT sectors in Rajshahi, Secretariat in Gazipur, no garments and industry will be in Dhaka, make and clear footpath in all road, hourly high charge for car parking in city, campaign for cycling, and finally proper and timely road signal.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 10:22 AM GMT+06:00 (196 weeks ago)
It's a good step to reduce the jam all over Dhaka city. But, the quantity of vehicles is so many that the streets and roads cannot retain them. So, alternative steps like decentralization from Dhaka, controlled licensing of vehicles are necessary, too.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 11:03 AM GMT+06:00 (196 weeks ago)
Nothing will actually work if people don't follow the traffic rules. We have seen many new rules taking place in the past few months but at the end none of them are properly implemented. The buses are still changing lanes in the middle of the roads, rickshaws are still moving in all the lanes, and private cars are again moving from one lane to another whenever they please! The traffic police are not implementing the lane rules anymore and not charging any fine. The pedestrians are not crossing through foot overs and jumping in front of running vehicles and in spite of seeing all this, the traffic police are quite. There has to be strict laws, high penalties for everyone who breaks these rules for at a year(at least) before people can actually get used to the systems. Huge awareness campaigns are required for everyone!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 07:59 PM GMT+06:00 (196 weeks ago)
I hope they are also considering public transit infrastructure such as trams and trains. 100 people on a tram creates less traffic than 100 people in 100 cars. We should find a way to make this possible in our city.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 12:15 AM GMT+06:00 (196 weeks ago)
Very peculiar idea indeed..............
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 08:42 AM GMT+06:00 (196 weeks ago)
The most foolish idea that I have ever heard of. This govt is making people fool with these steps. That is not gonna be help us at all.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 09:19 AM GMT+06:00 (196 weeks ago)
The same way office should be start and closed in different hours starting 7am, 8am, 9am and business will open 10am and closed the same way to avoid traffic. I saw the govt planning to build satellite towns around Dhaka and that is ridiculous for a poor country like Bangladesh.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 03:24 PM GMT+06:00 (196 weeks ago)
Lets concentrate on more fundamentals. prioritize transport modes - make wider usable pedestrian paths, give priority to existing mass transport, restrict use of the private car for daily travel to office, schools etc. discourage car ownership. In Land use terms establish compatible land uses to reduce need for travel. Restrict high plot densities without supporting urban amenities, work areas, open areas and adequate local roads/paths. Establish and increase an Open Space system in city. Connect adjacent large shopping malls at an upper level and somewhat inside at ground to reduce people movement along road edge, force buildings to keep wider setbacks from roads, build parking towers instead of shopping malls, enfore large malls such as Bashundhara city to make a vehicle overpass and pedestrian over bridge to take their traffic to the other lane so as not to disrupt through traffic. There are hundreds of small measures that need to be taken as well as fundamental policy on many issues such as car ownerships, densities, private profits. We need an efficient Town and Country Planning dept with all its functions. Adhocism will get us nowhere. Malaysia, Vietnam , Bhutan are progressing due to its planning policies and transparent, and skillful and sustained implementing procedures. .
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 01:06 PM GMT+06:00 (196 weeks ago)
No matter what government is doing or implementing to ease traffic jam, it will never ever work out until FLYOVER Project is taken up for Dhaka City. Our Mayor should invite expertise from Bangkok/Karachi to solve the issue, I have been traveling regularly to those 2 cities especially Bangkok which was very famous for Traffic Jam in mid 90's & now its totally jam free city only because of Flyover is constructed. Trust me, building flyover in Dhaka will really ease traffic jam.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 01:10 PM GMT+06:00 (196 weeks ago)
How will businesses do business with each other if they are closed on different days? My suppliers are in a different zone and I am open on different days, how would I do business with each other?
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 01:43 PM GMT+06:00 (196 weeks ago)
Why is the half day on the 2nd day? That doesn't make any sense. The half day should always be on the first day.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 02:15 PM GMT+06:00 (196 weeks ago)
I don't understand where this idea of holidaying businesses has come from. If you can not have national holiday on Friday,how you can have holiday on Friday in the some part of the city? do you think city dwellers will accept this? what will happen to businesses/industries operating in areas who will be affected as a result of this holidays? This is absolutely a rubbish idea,I must say. It proves that the current govt is lacking some good persons who can generate good ideas for them.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 02:57 PM GMT+06:00 (196 weeks ago)
The best way to see if this works is to try it. We can always switch back if we need to.