The government has planned four major initiatives to ease traffic congestion, improve public transport services and restore discipline on the roads of the capital Dhaka.
The proposed measures include removing buses more than 20 years old from Dhaka, relocating bus terminals and stations in key areas, renovating 31 existing routes and introducing new regulations to control auto-rickshaw operations.
Senior officials of the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry and representatives of bus owners’ associations shared details of the initiatives, expressing optimism that coordinated implementation could improve traffic management, road safety and the overall quality of public transport.
State Minister for Road Transport and Bridges and Railways Habibur Rashid told BSS that isolated measures would be insufficient to resolve the capital’s longstanding traffic problems.
“The government is seriously considering implementing the removal of old buses, terminal management, road renovation and the regulation of auto-rickshaws under an integrated plan,” he said, adding that reducing passenger hardship, ensuring road safety and making public transport more efficient would remain the primary objectives.
Traffic congestion in Dhaka has become more than a daily inconvenience, affecting the urban economy, working hours, fuel consumption, public health and the environment. Thousands of commuters spend considerable time travelling to workplaces, educational institutions, hospitals and businesses, reducing productivity and disrupting daily life.
Experts say sustainable solutions will require more than constructing new roads and flyovers. Better use of existing roads, improved bus route management, vehicle quality control and coordination among different modes of public transport are equally important.
Under the first initiative, buses more than 20 years old would be removed from the capital. Ageing vehicles can pose safety and environmental risks because of mechanical faults, inadequate maintenance and excessive emissions.
However, experts said fitness, mechanical condition, emission levels and maintenance records should also be considered.
Authorities will need to ensure replacements before withdrawing older vehicles to prevent shortages and avoid passenger sufferings. Regular fitness inspections, driver training, reasonable working hours and effective maintenance monitoring will also be essential. Introducing electric buses could further reduce direct exhaust emissions and support cleaner urban transport.
The second initiative involves relocating bus terminals and stations from important areas, including Sayedabad, Gabtoli, Mohakhali and Gulistan, where buses, passenger boarding, parking and inter-district services contribute to traffic pressure.
Relocation could ease congestion on central roads, but the success of the plan will depend on the accessibility of new terminal sites. Adequate connecting buses, metro rail links, passenger safety, travel time and fares must be considered to prevent additional difficulties for commuters. Planned entry and exit routes, designated boarding areas and sufficient parking facilities would also help reduce congestion around terminals.
The third initiative seeks to renovate 31 existing road routes in Dhaka. The work should extend beyond repairing road surfaces to include bus corridors, designated stops, connecting roads and arrangements for vehicle entry and exit.
On several routes, competition among bus operators, stopping outside designated locations and sudden lane changes to pick up passengers disrupt traffic. Meanwhile, commuters in some areas face long waits because of insufficient bus services.
Officials and transport planners could use passenger demand data, peak-hour travel patterns and connections with metro rail and other services to redesign routes. Alternative routes, feeder buses, coordinated schedules and integrated ticketing could help ensure that changes do not deprive communities of convenient transport.
The fourth initiative is the formulation of a new policy to regulate auto-rickshaws, including battery-powered three-wheelers. The proposed framework could establish requirements for registration, driver qualifications, safety standards, authorised operating areas, parking, passenger boarding and penalties for violations.
Authorities would need to determine which vehicles can operate on particular roads based on road capacity, vehicle speed and safety considerations.
Experts caution that restrictions alone will not provide lasting solutions without alternative transport options, designated stands and realistic enforcement arrangements. Consulting drivers, owners, passengers and local representatives could improve implementation.
Road Transport and Highway Division Secretary Dr Mohammed Ziaul Haque said the government would focus on actionable plans, clear allocation of responsibilities and regular progress assessments.
Effective coordination among the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA), the two city corporations, traffic police and transport operators will be crucial, he said.
The officials said progress should be measured through indicators such as average journey times, waiting periods at stops, duration of congestion, accident rates, public transport ridership and service reliability.
The four initiatives are closely interconnected, requiring replacement transport for ageing buses, accessible connections to relocated terminals, coordinated bus operations on renovated routes and practical alternatives for restricted auto-rickshaw services.
Sustained supervision, consistent enforcement of traffic laws, public participation and priority for mass transit will be essential to achieving lasting results. If implemented through a coordinated and measurable plan, the initiatives could create new opportunities to reduce congestion and improve the daily commuting experience for millions of Dhaka residents, experts say, reports BSS.