Photo : BSS

KHULNA, Mar 9, 2026 (BSS) - Khulna City Corporation (KCC) Administrator Nazrul Islam Manju today said necessary steps will be taken to bring discipline to traffic movement in Khulna city.

He called for cooperation from all concerned to implement the measures in the greater public interest.

Manju made the remarks while presiding over a meeting on traffic discipline and strict enforcement of government regulations, including maintaining fair prices of essential commodities in local markets.

The meeting was held this morning at the GIZ auditorium of Khulna City Corporation. Leaders of pedal-driven and battery-operated rickshaws, easy-bike, CNG and Mahendra owners' and drivers' associations, as well as officials from the traffic division of Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP), attended the meeting.

The meeting was arranged following complaints from city residents and newspaper reports highlighting public suffering due to traffic congestion.

Officials of the KMP traffic division informed the meeting that several factors are contributing to the worsening traffic situation in the city. These include unauthorized easy-bikes and rickshaws, frequent U-turns at road dividers, lack of adequate zebra crossings, passengers boarding and alighting at busy intersections, absence of designated stands for rickshaws and easy-bikes and roadside parking due to insufficient parking facilities in large markets, hospitals and clinics. The presence of mobile street vendors occupying footpaths and roadside spaces was also identified as a major cause of congestion.

Participants said that effective traffic management at key intersections such as Shibbari, Power House and Ferryghat could significantly improve the situation. They also suggested that sewerage line installation works by WASA be carried out at night to reduce disruption to traffic during the daytime.

The meeting was informed that KCC has approved nearly 10,000 easy-bikes to operate in the city, while about 17,000 rickshaws have been issued licenses. However, only 680 rickshaw licenses were renewed during the 2024-2025 fiscal year due to ongoing court cases. It was also noted that many unauthorized easy-bikes and battery-run rickshaws enter the city from surrounding areas and restricting their entry could help ease traffic congestion.

The meeting decided to ensure that buses and trucks remain within designated stands, prevent construction materials from being stored on roads, stop traders from placing goods on roadsides in front of their shops and discourage indiscriminate roadside parking.

In the long term, the authorities will develop designated stands for rickshaws and easy-bikes and make proper arrangements for street vendors.

Later, another meeting was held at the same venue with leaders of various market traders' associations to discuss maintaining the quality and prices of food items at a reasonable level and improving overall market management.

Chaired by KCC Administrator Nazrul Islam Manju, the meeting emphasized ensuring that consumers can purchase essential commodities at fair prices. Traders' association leaders assured the meeting that they would display price lists of products and conduct their businesses in accordance with government directives.

Senior officials of KCC, representatives of relevant government departments and leaders of different traders' associations were present at the meeting.