Dhaka, Mar 13 (V7N)– This information was provided in a public notice signed by DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali on Wednesday.

The notice added: “It has often been observed that some agencies or contracting firms dig up roads during the day for various utility services, which can take up to 7-8 months to repair. In most cases, excavation is done without creating alternative routes for traffic, and more space is dug up than necessary.”

“Although regulations require traffic signal boards with directions during excavation, they are often not installed. Excavation on one lane while dumping soil or debris on the other disrupts traffic on both lanes,” it added.

The notice further said that in many cases, excavation work is conducted on both sides of the road simultaneously, making it narrower. Sometimes, roads are excavated at night, but the dug-up portions are not properly filled or covered with iron sheets, leading to daytime traffic disruptions.

The notice also said: “Contractors frequently dig roads before collecting the necessary materials for utility services, leaving them in disrepair for extended periods. In most cases, an adequate number of volunteers are not deployed to control traffic or diversions.”

As a result, traffic congestion in Dhaka worsens, causing public suffering and wasting work hours, leading to financial losses worth millions for the state.

The DMP has issued special instructions to all concerned agencies and contractors to strictly adhere to the following guidelines for road excavation or cutting related to utility services:

DMP guidelines for road excavation:

  1. No road cutting or excavation should begin without the approval of the DMP Headquarters.
  2. Excavation work must not be conducted between 6am and 10pm. Roads must be excavated at night and reopened for traffic in the morning.
  3. The start and end dates of the work must be announced in advance, and the work must be completed within the specified time.
  4. Traffic signals and directional signs must be installed within 200 meters before and after the excavation site.
  5. A sufficient number of workers must be deployed to complete the work on time.
  6. Alternative routes for pedestrians and vehicles must be arranged.
  7. Iron sheets must be brought to the site before excavation to ensure road usability.
  8. A single lane may be excavated at night, but it must be made usable before sunrise.
  9. Under no circumstances should both sides of a road be excavated simultaneously.
  10. Excavation work must be conducted at night in the presence of DMP traffic division representatives.
  11. Road excavation must not exceed seven nights, and repair work must be completed within the next three nights, employing the highest number of workers and technicians.

If any institution violates these conditions and disrupts traffic in Dhaka, the relevant work will be halted, and legal action will be taken against the contractors and those responsible, according to the notice.

END/MSS/AJ