Dbarta24 Report — In a major step toward modernizing urban traffic management, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) is preparing to deploy drone surveillance to monitor real-time road conditions, identify traffic violations, and curb the persistent gridlock choking Bangladesh’s capital.
Following the recent introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) traffic signals, the police department is currently conducting experimental trials with a surveillance drone provided by a tech firm.
The initiative aims to provide traffic controllers with live overhead data, enabling faster responses to bottlenecks on major thoroughfares, flyovers, and elevated expressways.
Real-Time Data and Dynamic Enforcement
The integration of aerial surveillance is expected to bridge critical information gaps during unexpected blockages. Additional Commissioner (Traffic) of DMP, Md. Anisur Rahman, revealed that the drones will feature real-time audio systems alongside video monitoring.
“Drone surveillance exists in many countries, but it is a brand-new concept for us. Often, severe congestion builds up on roads, flyovers, and expressways, and pinpointing the exact cause takes too much time. Drone surveillance will give us instantaneous, real-time information, making it vastly easier to direct field officers effectively.”— Md. Anisur Rahman, Additional Police Commissioner (Traffic), DMP
He added that the drones are equipped with loudspeakers to issue direct audio warnings to offending vehicles on the spot, instructing drivers to move immediately if they are obstructing traffic flow.
Future Automated Prosecutions and Infrastructure Needs
DMP plans to eventual integrate Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology into the drone system, opening the door for video-based traffic citations.
However, officials clarified that automated fining will not happen overnight due to infrastructure requirements and accuracy concerns.
“We have not yet reached the automated prosecution stage. While technically possible, fully automated systems carry a risk of errors. We analyze footage manually before issuing fines to ensure no citizen is wrongfully penalized. High case numbers are not our goal—our sole objective is to encourage compliance with traffic laws.”— Md. Anisur Rahman
Rahman noted that maintaining real-time video feeds requires robust server infrastructure and ongoing internet connectivity costs, which are currently being assessed.
Root Causes of Dhaka’s Bus Chaos
Addressing the broader systemic issues causing citywide congestion, Rahman highlighted the destructive daily competition among public buses.
Unlike developed nations operating under strict schedules, Dhaka’s bus drivers operate on daily cash-contract models with vehicle owners.
To meet daily revenue quotas, drivers frequently compete aggressively for passengers, stopping indiscriminately in the middle of roads and blocking entire traffic corridors.
Rahman emphasized that lasting relief will require implementing an e-ticketing framework and executing the Bus Route Rationalization project alongside technological measures.
Officer Training and Pilot Scale
Technical preparation for the drone deployment is already underway:
-
Specialized Training: DMP officers in the Tejgaon Division have completed training on drone operation, with Uttara Division personnel scheduled for training next week.
-
Gradual Deployment: Drone data will complement the 15 AI-driven traffic signals recently deployed across key intersections, including Shahbagh and Lake Road.
-
Evaluation Phase: Police leadership assured that field testing will be comprehensive; if trials reveal significant drawbacks, the project will be refined before any citywide rollout.