CHATTOGRAM, Feb 24, 2025 (BSS) - Speakers at a roundtable discussion here today laid 
emphasis on introduction of technology-based integrated traffic management system to get rid of 
severe traffic whirlpool in the port city. 

The discussants have also opined that besides creating public awareness, public utility and service 
providing organizations involved in the city development and management have to work in a 
more coordinated way aiming at formulating a time-befitting city traffic master plan. 

Multi-party Advocacy Forum ( MAF) in cooperation with Democracy International  organized 
the roundtable on “Improvement of integrated traffic system to solve traffic congestion in 
Chattogram Metropolitan city and what to do for civic safety”   held at local District Council 
auditorium on Monday morning. 

City Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossen was the chief guest at the discussion presided over by Regional 
Manager of Democracy International Sadrul Amin and moderated by  MAF General Secretary 
Md Jasim Uddin Chowdhury.   

Deputy Commissioner (Traffic North) of Chattogram Metropolitan Police Joynal Abedin, 
Member Secretary of Chattogram Press Club Zahidul Karim Kachi, President of Chattogram 
Metropolitan Union of Journalists Mohammed Shah Nowaz, President of C & F Agents 
Association S M Saiful Alam ,  Prof Md Ismail of Chemistry Department of Chattogram 
University ( CU) , Assistant Professor of Marine Science and Fisheries Department of CU Md 
Zahedur Rahman Chowdhury , NGO representative Kazi Iqbal Bahar Saberi and Student 
representative Asif Rahman among others took part in the discussion.
   
Speaking at the discussion, City Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hoosen said law enforcement agencies as 
well as other public service providing bodies cannot alone solve the persisting traffic congestion 
without active cooperation of all stakeholders including commuters and city dwellers.  
 
“Owners of public transport and private vehicles, commercial buildings and multi-storied 
structures as well as passer-by have to abide by existing laws and traffic rules to free the port city 
from acute traffic jam” the Mayor said adding that illegal encroachments of footpaths and roads 
by hawkers and shop owners also caused further narrowing down the existing roads that led to 
increased public sufferings. 

Dr. Shahadat said to free the port city from growing traffic menace and restore a discipline in the 
traffic system are important component of his commitment to build the commercial capital as “ 
green and clean city” .   
 
Other discussants also pointed out that existing obsolete manual and semi-automated traffic 
control system should be replaced by introducing modern technology based fully automated 
system to deal with the influx of people towards city areas from sub-urban and rural areas.

Besides, they said stringent legal action like imposing on the sport financial penalty and short-
term imprisonment to be taken against violators of traffic rules and illegal occupiers of public 
passages to bring a discipline in city’s chaotic traffic management system.