The Tejgaon section of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway is experiencing severe traffic congestion due to manual toll collection. The situation has left commuters facing significant delays since Sunday morning.
The Elevated Expressway authority has confirmed that the manual toll collection system, instead of the automated one, is causing the traffic build-up in the Tejgaon area.
Project Director of the Elevated Expressway, AHM Sakhawat Akhtar, informed the media that the automated toll booth from Tejgaon to the airport was shut down based on a recommendation from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). The police suggested this to help reduce traffic congestion.
A visit to the Tejgaon section of the expressway revealed that tolls are being manually collected, resulting in long lines of vehicles waiting to enter the expressway. The manual toll process is taking much longer, further exacerbating the traffic jam.
Earlier, on February 26, DMP had recommended using the Mohakhali ramp for those traveling toward Uttara to avoid traffic congestion on the Elevated Expressway.
In another development, the speed limit on the Dhaka Elevated Expressway has been raised from 60 km/h to 80 km/h. This new speed limit has been in effect since Thursday night, as confirmed by Captain (Retd.) Hasib Hasan Khan, Director of Traffic, Safety, and Security at the First Dhaka Elevated Expressway (Operations and Maintenance) Company Limited.
On Saturday, March 1, electronic signboards on the Elevated Expressway displayed the new speed limit of 80 km/h. Drivers are also being urged to adhere to the updated speed limit through additional electronic boards along the road.
Liberty News’ national correspondent states that Hasib Khan mentioned that the new speed limit was implemented after approval from both DMP and the Bangladesh Bridge Authority.
LND/BG
