The Bus Route Rationalization Committee (BRRC) has decided that no bus will be allowed to run in Dhaka without a route permit.
The announcement was made at a press conference after the 17th meeting of the BRRC on Thursday.
Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation and Atiqul Islam, Mayor of North City Corporation were present at the press conference.
Mayor Atiqul Islam said, "We have received reports that 1,646 vehicles ply without any route permit in Dhaka. Dhaka North and South City Corporation, Dhaka Metropolitan Police, BRTA will conduct joint operations from 1st July to 31st August.
Any bus will not be able to enter the capital without route permit, he added.
"We have seen buses take registration first, then route permission. However, this will not continue from now on. Route permit must be obtained first. We, the two city corporations, have decided that all the vehicles plying in Dhaka city must have route permits”, said the DNCC mayor.
DSCC mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh said, "We want to start bus route rationalization activities from Ghatarchar via Motijheel to Signboard from September 6. A bus depot is going to be built in Ghatarchar. We have completed tenders for the construction of various passenger canopies and bus bays.”
He further said that an agreement has been drafted with the owners of the buses operating on the route. It has been decided that the agreement will be finalised by July 8. Authorities are hopeful that this agreement will be executed on July 29.
He also said that four inter-district bus terminals would be constructed outside Dhaka. Buses from outside of Dhaka will use the route through the capital which should be restricted. The buses plying in Dhaka will remain inside Dhaka. Buses from the outside will remain outside the capital. For this, four inter-district bus terminals and depots will be constructed.
Senior officials of North and South City Corporation, senior officials of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Dhaka Road Transport Owners Association's General Secretary Khandaker Enayet Ullah were also present at the press conference.
