Staff Correspondent

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Monday said at least 300 students will be recruited as “assistant police personnel” on a part-time basis to help regular officers maintain traffic on the roads.

The students will be recruited from those who oversaw traffic movement in the days after 5 August, as the fall of Awami League autocratic government created a gaping security hole across the country.

The home adviser stated that illegal vehicles, frequent street protests, and the presence of motor and non-motor vehicles on the same roads are causing traffic jams in the capital, necessitating the appointment of civilian volunteers.

He said this while inaugurating the 15-day Traffic Pakkha-2024 of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) at Rajarbagh Police Lines.

Traffic Pakkha aims to restore traffic management in the capital by creating awareness among its residents.

The chief guest of the programme, Jahangir Alam, admitted that due to various reasons, the traffic division of the DMP has been struggling to improve traffic management in the city.

“The demonstrations on the streets for various demands have made traffic management a tough task,” he said.

“Since the formation of the current interim government, we have been working closely with police, civil society, and other stakeholders to address Dhaka’s traffic challenges,” said the home adviser.

The adviser said that a research team is working to start traffic signals through local technology.

He is hopeful about starting the signals soon.

Jahangir Alam said that not only police and the government but also the residents will have to come forward for efficient traffic management.

Youth and Sports Affairs Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan and Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Abdul Hafiz spoke as the special guests, while Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mainul Islam was present as the special guest, with DMP Commissioner Mainul Hassan in the chair.

Meanwhile, Additional Deputy Commissioner of the DMP ObaidurRahman told the Daily Sun that a total of 1,000 students and volunteers will work to maintain traffic on the roads for fifteen days starting today.

The duration may be extended, he added.