They demanded relocation of the Dhaka Central Jail and Bangladesh Rifles Headquarters from the city to ease traffic congestion.

They suggested making major roads in Old Dhaka one-way, freeing footpaths from hawkers and vendors and providing multi-storeyed car parking facilities in Motijheel commercial area to smoothen movement of traffic.

The businessmen urged the government to introduce circular road and rail routes around Dhaka City for a better communication infrastructure. They said private sector can assist the government in this task.

The suggestions came from a meeting of Old Dhaka businessmen with Communications Minister Nazmul Huda. The meeting was organised by Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) on Sunday.

The minister admitted that problems in the traffic management cause hindrance to the development and business activities and discourage local and foreign entrepreneurs from investing in productive ventures.

Huda said his ministry has a priority project to build an elevated expressway in Dhaka and its work would start as soon as a deal is signed with Thailand.

The minister said the government needs more cooperation from people and more sincerity of the law-enforcement agencies to improve the traffic situation.

Speaking at the meeting, DCCI President Sayeeful Islam urged the government to develop new township on the other side of the Buringanga river and introduce elevated commuter railway service between Narayanganj and Tongi industrial areas.

He said an entrepreneur or a businessman has to spend three to four additional hours to make up for the losses of time due to horrible traffic jam.

Islam also stressed the need for completing the road repair works by all the utility agencies simultaneously instead of repeatedly digging roads that causes a lot of hazards.

Vice-president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry Abul Kashem Haider said confrontational politics is hampering the development and business activities in the country.