Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) acting Commissioner, Md. Sarwar, has issued a directive to prevent battery-operated rickshaws from operating on the city’s main thoroughfares. The announcement was made on Tuesday, 3 March, as part of broader measures aimed at easing traffic congestion and ensuring the safety of the capital’s residents. Commissioner Sarwar emphasised that traffic police must remain particularly vigilant during this period.
Speaking at a coordination meeting held in the DMP headquarters’ conference hall, the Commissioner highlighted ongoing operations against illegal encroachments on sidewalks and roads. He noted that regular eviction drives continue to remove unauthorised structures, thereby safeguarding pedestrian and vehicular movement.
With the arrival of Ramadan, DMP has deployed additional police forces to secure the busiest areas of the city, including banks and shopping malls. The focus is on preventing adulterated food sales, monitoring commodity prices, and maintaining overall public safety.
“Traffic congestion intensifies in the capital ahead of Iftar,” Commissioner Sarwar said. “To ensure that residents reach their destinations on time, traffic and crime division officers are stationed on the roads and remain active during peak Iftar hours.” He further added that DMP is proactively monitoring social media and cyber activities to curb related criminal offences.
Additional Police Commissioner (Crime and Operations) S.N. Md. Nazrul Islam stated that no major untoward incidents have occurred in the city since the beginning of Ramadan. He urged business leaders to ensure that their shops, markets, and establishments are under CCTV surveillance, noting that such measures significantly aid crime prevention and law enforcement.
DMP has also advised citizens to utilise the emergency 999 helpline and recommended its escort service for transporting cash and valuables, particularly ahead of the Eid festivities.
The table below summarises DMP’s key initiatives for traffic and security management during Ramadan:
| Area | Responsibility & Measures | Objective |
|---|---|---|
| E-rickshaw control | Directives to traffic police | Prevent congestion and unnecessary disruption on main roads |
| Illegal encroachments | Eviction of unauthorised structures | Ensure safe movement for pedestrians and vehicles |
| Bank & shopping mall security | Deployment of additional forces | Prevent theft, adulteration, and untoward incidents |
| Traffic management | Direct involvement of traffic and crime divisions | Ensure timely arrival of residents for Iftar |
| Cyber & social media safety | Monitoring by relevant DMP units | Control fraud, harassment, and cybercrime |
| Emergency services | 999 helpline & DMP escort service | Guarantee safety of citizens and business assets |
The meeting was attended by Additional Police Commissioners for Counter-Terrorism & Transnational Crime, Detective Branch, and Traffic, along with Joint Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, other senior officers, business representatives, and officials from various organisations.
DMP expressed optimism that, with the cooperation of citizens and business owners, Ramadan will pass peacefully and the upcoming Eid celebrations can be observed safely and joyfully.