While pilot projects show promise, wider expansion is being delayed

On a recent Thursday afternoon, there was a heavy traffic jam at the Sonargaon intersection in Dhaka. Even though the bus stopped and moved according to the traffic lights, the traffic police still used hand signals to manage traffic. This scene reflects both the progress and limitations of the newly introduced semi-automatic traffic light system in Dhaka. Since the system was introduced at several intersections as a pilot project, traffic congestion has been somewhat alleviated. However, many drivers and pedestrians ignore traffic lights and attempt to move or cross during the signal, requiring manual intervention by the traffic police.

“The system is working well because the timing is maintained manually or automatically. Since the signal works in a coordinated manner, the vehicle does not have to wait long. But many people try to break the signal. That’s why the traffic police often have to crack down on this with hand gestures.”

When visiting the intersection, some public buses were also observed stopping in the middle of the road, picking up passengers, slowing down traffic flow and wasting precious green light time. “Time is managed automatically whether passive or automatic, so the system is working well,” said Traffic Inspector Omit Chowdhuri. “The vehicle doesn’t have to wait long because the signals are coordinated.” But he said the biggest challenge is making sure drivers and pedestrians follow the signals properly. “Many people try to break the signal, so the traffic police often have to crack down with hand gestures,” he said. Public buses also remain a major challenge for traffic discipline, but since the introduction of the system, traffic flow in the region has improved significantly, he added.

Frustration with project delays

Despite the positive results at the intersection where the system was installed, experts say that the project faced significant delays. Moazem Hossain, a professor at Buet’s Department of Civil Engineering, said that in the seven months since the pilot project opened, 15 additional intersections have not been able to install signals. “At first, the results were very good. However, due to procurement issues, administrative changes, and engineer replacements, the rest of the work was not feasible,” he said.

“At first, the results were very good. However, due to procurement issues, administrative changes, and engineer replacements, the rest of the work was not feasible. The two city corporations were responsible for completing civil works and preparing the site. However, the bidding process or contract award has not yet been completed. – Prof. Moazem Hossein, Civil Engineering, Buet.

According to him, the two city corporations were in charge of completing the civil works and preparing the installation site. However, the bidding process or contract awards for all venues have not yet been completed. “Due to the procurement and administrative problems of such an important project, we lost about seven to eight months of time,” he said. Under the pilot project, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) was scheduled to install signals at 14 intersections, while Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) was responsible for 8 intersections.

On August 30, 2025, the interim government opened semi-automatic signals at seven intersections, including Hotel Intercontinental, Bangla Motor, Sonargaon, Palm Gate, Bijoy Sarani, Chief Adviser’s Office, and Jahangir Gate. Authorities planned to install signals at 15 intersections in the next six months. “We are getting very good results compared to the previous situation,” said Hossein. “If the system is introduced in more areas, its usefulness will be much greater.”

He said that when the system is only implemented in limited areas, its impact cannot be fully understood. “Basically, the 22 intersections should have been completed around July or August last year, or by September at most. By now, a corridor across Dhaka should have been operational,” he said. “If about 50 nearby intersections were added, most of the city would already be protected.” According to him, these delays show a lack of will on the part of the implementing agencies. He also said that if the authorities and road users do not cooperate, technology alone cannot solve the problem. “Technology is technology, but when it is introduced among the public, public action must also be taken into account,” he said. The system can operate fully automatically, like an ‘autopilot’, but its semi-automatic design allows for manual supervision during special events or unusual traffic situations.

He also emphasized the importance of enforcement. “Crossroads are invaluable hubs. If there’s chaos there, nothing will work,” he said. For example, he said that the system works well because the Bizoy Sarani area has relatively few street vendors or roadside obstacles. “If other intersections are kept similarly clean, the congestion situation will improve significantly,” he said. According to Hossain, expanding the system won’t cost too much. “Even including civil works, the cost of each intersection is less than 1 crore taka,” he said. “For 100 intersections, this project can cost around TK 60 to 80 crore.” “If you make the right commitments, you can complete all 100 intersections within this time.”

Implementation process

DM Gius Malik, Deputy Traffic Engineer at the Dhaka Traffic Coordination Authority (DTCA), said that several installed traffic lights were already working normally. “We have seen the lighting system being maintained and working at Bijoy Sarani, Karwan Bazaar, and Palm Gate ,” he said. He also noted that under current government policy, stopping traffic lights when moving VVIPs is no longer allowed. “The signaling system will continue to work normally,” he said.

If the pilot project is successful, the authorities plan to expand the system further.
Currently, there are about 338 intersections in the northern and southern parts of Dhaka combined, most of which are manually managed by the traffic police. “Our goal is to ultimately put all these intersections under the signal system,” he said. Rajiv Kadem, Engineering Director of the Traffic Engineering Circle of the Dhaka South City Corporation, said that signals were installed in several places, including Sika Chatar, Kadam Chatar, Matsya Baban, Kakrai Mosque, Hotel InterContinental, Bangla Motor, and Shabagh.

“Our work is over. Currently, Buet is installing and piloting lighting and related equipment.” He said. However, DNCC officials said that coordination issues and administrative procedures affected the delay. Kondoker Mahbub Alam, an engineer and adjunct engineer at DNCC’s traffic engineering circle, said the main issues were coordination between the two city authorities, bidding procedures, and frequent administrative changes. “The delay in bidding was due to budget allocation, approval procedures and other administrative issues,” he said. “In some cases, managers have been replaced multiple times within a short period of time.”

“According to Buet’s design drawings, we have completed five installations. We are working quickly on the remaining areas.” He said. Another DNCC official said that the delay in preparing the design drawings also slowed down the progress of the project. “Almost everything in Bangladesh has been delayed in the past year. ” It didn’t move quickly anywhere,” the official said. However, he added that on-site surveys of the remaining intersections are expected to begin soon. “We should be able to start working on the site in a week,” he said.