HC seeks report on traffic signal ‘mismanagement’ in Dhaka

The High Court today sought a report on the “mismanagement” in traffic signal system in Dhaka.

The court asked the additional commissioner (traffic) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police to find out the reason behind the “mismanagement” in Dhaka traffic signal system and submit a report before this court in 30 days.

In response to a writ petition, the HC ordered the authorities concerned of the government to frame a guideline within the next 30 days in order to operate traffic signal system properly in the capital.

Also read: Unutilised Traffic Lights: Money wasted, streets made dangerous

The court also issued a rule asking the authorities to explain within four weeks why their failure and inaction to operate the traffic signal system in Dhaka and to remove the mismanagement should not be declared illegal.

The HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman came up with the order and rule following a writ petition jointly filed by SC lawyer Barrister Monoj Kumar Bhowmik and Advocate Sulaiman Hawlader Mintu seeking necessary order.

During hearing of the writ petition today, Barrister Monoj told the court that accidents and casualties are taking place in the capital due to “faulty” traffic system and therefore, people’s constitutional right to live is being violated.

Necessary orders needed to be passed on the authorities to address the “mismanagement” in the traffic signal system in Dhaka, he argued.

The petitioners submitted the writ petition to the HC as a public interest litigation on Thursday based on a report published in The Daily Star on January 12 with the headline -- Unutilised Traffic Lights: Money wasted, streets made dangerous.