Police to test ‘zero-signal’ plan to ease Dhaka gridlock amid expert scepticism

Bangladesh Police are set to conduct a feasibility test of an ambitious “Zero Signal Traffic Management Model” across 105 kilometres of roads in Dhaka, as authorities move to trial a proposal aimed at eliminating traffic lights and easing the capital’s persistent congestion. 

However, the plan has already drawn sharp criticism from transport experts, who question its practicality in the city’s existing urban conditions.

The initiative, overseen by the Ministry of Home Affairs, was endorsed in principle at a meeting of the Signal Management Model Technical Sub-Committee held on Sunday, but stakeholders agreed that a detailed feasibility assessment is essential before further proceedings.

The meeting, chaired by Additional Secretary Md Ataur Rahman Khan, brought together representatives from the Roads and Highways Department, RAJUK, Bangladesh Police, the Local Government Division, Dhaka North and South City Corporations, and other agencies, according to the meeting minutes – a copy of which has been obtained by the Daily Sun.

Under the plan, Bangladesh Police will test a “zero signal” system designed to keep selected arterial routes free of traffic lights in order to improve vehicle flow and reduce long-standing gridlocks.

Authorities proposed introducing automated traffic signals across the capital, except for the designated 105km pilot network. In addition, covered vans and trucks will be restricted from operating during daytime hours.

The broader reform package includes restructuring Dhaka’s transport system through uninterrupted north–south and east–west corridors within the zero-signal zone, introducing a unified city bus service under a single authority, and banning inter-district buses from entering the city.

Bus operations would be centralised with fixed stoppages, while CCTV monitoring would be used to enforce compliance. Rickshaws and other slow-moving vehicles would be confined to local streets, and additional foot overbridges would be constructed. The plan also proposes introducing electronic toll collection (ETC) and establishing a dedicated authority to manage implementation.

The model also outlines major physical interventions, including converting five highways into expressways within the 105km network and constructing 37 infrastructure projects. These comprise 16 overpasses or underpasses, 13 U-loop overpasses, seven interchange circles combining overpasses and underpasses, and one “youth U-loop” interchange. A further 30 foot overbridges are also planned.

The total estimated cost of the project stands at Tk 2,672.16 crore.

However, the proposal has faced strong opposition from transport engineering experts.

Dr Md Shamsul Hoque, professor at the Department of Civil Engineering at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, told the Daily Sun that Dhaka does not have sufficient space to support a signal-free traffic system.

“I think the plan will not work. Those who have initiated the plan have hardly knowledge about the transportation engineering,” added the noted transportation engineering expert.

He added that traffic congestion could be reduced through proper enforcement of existing regulations rather than large-scale structural overhauls. 

“If the authorities concerned will do their duties properly, the traffic jams can be removed. For example, if police keep the footpath free from hawkers, the vehicles can run freely and easily,” he said.

Joint Secretary Abdullah Hakkani, member secretary of the technical sub-committee, said the latest progress of discussions and proposals will be submitted to the Cabinet Division for further review as the feasibility testing phase moves forward.