Dhaka Authorities Allocate 100 Crore Taka to Install AI-Powered Traffic Signals at 50 Intersections
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Authorities in Dhaka have launched a 1-billion-taka initiative to install artificial intelligence-powered traffic signals at 50 intersections across the capital, aiming to reduce congestion and restore road discipline. The project, funded by the Local Government Ministry, will see an average expenditure of 20 million taka per intersection.
The initiative follows a directive issued by Prime Minister Tareq Rahman during a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office on July 18. In response, the ministry allocated 500 million taka each to the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). Under this budget, the DNCC will oversee the installation of 28 signals at a cost of approximately 550 million taka, while the DSCC will install 22 signals for roughly 440 million taka.
The project encompasses more than just the installation of signal lights; it includes comprehensive infrastructure and technical upgrades. Costs cover the construction of signal foundations, steel fencing, power connections, police control rooms, road excavations, and the procurement of advanced equipment such as high-definition cameras, control boxes, and tablets.
The implementation will be divided into two main components. City corporation contractors will handle civil engineering tasks, including the construction of 50-meter steel barriers on both sides of each signal, road cutting, and electrical installations. Concurrently, the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) will manage the system’s design, provide technological components, and conduct traffic flow surveys.
Regarding the DNCC’s allocation, approximately 430 million taka is earmarked for civil works, with major expenses including steel fencing and pole installation. The remaining 120 million taka will cover BUET’s consultation fees and the procurement of specialized technical equipment.
This current expansion builds upon a pilot project launched last year at 22 intersections, which utilized locally developed technology. These initial signals, located at key points including Farmgate, Bijoy Sarani, and the InterContinental Hotel, were later upgraded with AI cameras. City officials and traffic police report that the pilot has yielded positive results in managing traffic flow and discouraging signal violations.
Urban planner Adil Muhammad Khan noted that the AI-driven system has increased compliance due to the immediate enforcement of penalties. “While technology is essential for modern urban management, it must be accompanied by strict lane discipline and the consistent application of traffic laws,” Khan said.
Work on the new installations is expected to begin following the completion of tender processes, though timelines vary between the two corporations. DSCC Superintending Engineer Rajib Khadem stated that the tender process is complete and construction will commence next week, while DNCC Executive Engineer Naim Raihan Khan indicated that their tender process remains ongoing.
The project is being implemented through a collaborative effort involving the traffic engineering departments of both city corporations, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, and BUET. Planned installation sites include high-traffic areas such as Mirpur-1, Mirpur-10, Gulshan-1, and Mohakhali in the north, and Science Laboratory, New Market, Polton, and Gulistan in the south.
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