Staff Reporter :The authorities concerned will resume bus services in the city’s Gulshan and Banani areas from today (Wednesday) after 40 days of suspension.After the July 1 deadly terror attack at a Gulshan café in the city, the concerned authorities suspended transport, especially bus operation, at almost all the places in Gulshan and Banani areas due to security reasons. Law enforcers have stepped up security in all important places and establishments in the capital, especially in the diplomatic zone, following July 1 terror attack. Additional uniformed and plainclothes detectives have been deployed for increased surveillance. “In a bid to erase commuters’ sufferings, a new fleet of 30 air-conditioned buses and 500 rickshaws would be operated within Gulshan, Banani and Niketon areas from Wednesday, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Annisul Huq told The New Nation on Tuesday.He said, with the introduction of the new services, the area would be off limits to other modes of public transport. “The private operators will run the service. DNCC in association with DMP would coordinate the overall activity and other stakeholders, he said.He said, of the 30 buses, some will carry passengers from Natunbazar to Kakoli while others between Police Plaza near Hatirjheel and Gulshan. “Besides the buses, 500 rickshaws will also hit the streets in the areas,” the DNCC mayor said.He said that 500 different coloured rickshaws and uniforms for the rickshaw pullers have been allotted. “No rickshaw apart from the specified few shall be allowed to enter the area. The city corporation authorities have already collected the identities of the rickshaw-pullers and the rickshaw-owners in details,” he added.Special bus service will be operated on two routes — Police Plaza to Gulshan-2 intersection and Kakoli crossing to Natunbazar crossing and buses will be available every 10 minutes. The buses belong to Nitol-Niloy Group, owned by FBCCI President Abdul Matlub Ahmad.Police and DNCC will jointly supervise the bus and rickshaw services, said Gulshan Zone Assistant Commissioner of Police. The new bus routes are given below:Bus Route-1: Gulshan Shooting Club – Gulshan 1 – Gulshan-2 – Kemal Ataturk Avenue – Banani – Navy HQ – Banani – Kemal Ataturk Avenue – Gulshan-2 – Gulshan 1 – Gulshan Shooting Club.Bus Route-2: Gulshan Shooting Club – Gulshan 1 – Gulshan 2 – American Embassy – Notun Bazar – American Embassy – Gulshan 2 – Gulshan 1 – Gulshan Shooting Club.
