DSCC adopts Tk 1,904-crore plan to build 'Smart and Green Dhaka'

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has taken a Taka 1,904-crore development plan for the current fiscal 2026-27 to develop the southern part of the capital as a modern, traffic-congestion-free, green and livable city.

Under this plan, special importance has been given to artificial intelligence (AI)-based traffic management, establishing a bus terminal in Kanchpur, development of Dhanmondi Lake and extensive tree plantation, the DSCC administrator, veteran freedom fighter Md Abdus Salam told BSS.

He said the DSCC want to develop South Dhaka as a 'smart and green city' by ensuring environmental balance, modern communication system and the aesthetics of the city.

An analysis of the DSCC's development allocation for the fiscal 2026-27 shows that a total of Taka 1,904.42 crore has been allocated for its development. In the fiscal 2025-26, the allocation for this sector was Taka 2,196.40 crore. In the revised budget, it has been reduced to Taka 1,707.41 crore.

One of the important aspects of the development plan for the current fiscal is the construction and development of infrastructure with the corporation's own funding.

This time, Taka 806.49 crore has been allocated for this sector. In the last fiscal, the original allocation was Taka 727.16 crore and in the revised budget, it stood at Taka 728.15 crore. Taka 79.33 crore more has been allocated for infrastructure development in the current fiscal than the allocation of the previous year.

A large part of this allocation is going to the roads and highways sub-sector. A maximum of Taka 526.6 crore has been allocated for this sector in the current fiscal. Through this, initiatives have been taken to ensure the development, renovation and maintenance of road infrastructure in the south city area as well as safe and comfortable movement of citizens.

However, the DSCC is not limited to conventional infrastructure development under this development plan. Initiatives have been taken to introduce technology-based systems to control traffic congestion in the city. Taka 40 crore has been allocated for the installation of artificial intelligence-based traffic signals at 22 intersections of the DSCC area with the technical assistance from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).

Abdus Salam said the use of technology in modern city management is no longer a luxury, but a necessity.

"If AI-based traffic signals can be operated by analysing the pressure and movement of vehicles, it will reduce traffic congestion and save valuable time for city dwellers," he said.

The administrator said another major initiative in urban transport management is the preparation to shift the Sayedabad Inter-District Bus Terminal to Kanchpur.

As per the Prime Minister's instructions, Taka 40 crore has been allocated in the current fiscal for the development of the platform, shed, ticket counter and toilet of the Kanchpur bus terminal, he said.

DSCC officials said if the activities of the Inter-District Bus Terminal can be shifted to Kanchpur, the entry and movement of long-distance buses within the capital will reduce.

This will not only control traffic congestion, but also reduce the pressure of vehicles on the city's streets, they said.