Dhaka: Observing that traffic congestions will ease in the capital if traffic rules are followed everywhere, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Tuesday urged the city dwellers to abide by the law, reports the UNB.

He made the call while inaugurating the ‘Fortnightly Traffic Discipline’ programme at the Zero Point (GPO Crossing) in the city in the afternoon.

Starting from today (Tuesday), the discipline programme will continue till January 31 to make the city dwellers aware about the traffic rules to restore discipline in city streets.

The Home Minister said the traffic department of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has been working tirelessly to build the city as traffic jam-free one.

He mentioned that both motorcyclists and pillion riders are now using helmets following various initiatives taken by police. ‘It’s a success as they didn’t use helmets before.’

Terming the death of two Shaheed Ramiz Uddin Cantonment School and College students in a road accident unfortunate, Asaduzzaman said a special traffic week was formally inaugurated at the same spot (Zero Point) last year after the tragic incident to bring back discipline in the streets.

Abdul Karim Rajib, a second-year student of Humanities department, and Dia Khanam Meem, a first-year Science student of the college section of the educational institution, was killed in a road accident on Airport Road on July 29 last year.

The road accident sparked widespread protests among students who went on a movement demanding safe roads.

In his address, DMP Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia said the DMP observed traffic discipline campaign for thrice last year.

Members of BNCC, Rover Scouts, Red Crescent and other government agencies are also working along with them to bring back discipline in the city streets, he said.

Though there have been some progresses in bringing discipline in the streets, the city dwellers are yet to be satisfied over the traffic jam, the DMP chief said. ‘We’ve identified 130 spots for bus stoppage and the city corporations have started turning those into bus stands,’ he said.

He said some 57 check-posts have been set up in the city streets to continue the activities of the traffic department to regulate traffic during the ongoing ‘Fortnightly Traffic Discipline’ programme.

Senior officials of the DMP were present.