Dhaka Bus Terminals Set to Stay in the Capital

Dhaka is struggling with severe traffic congestion. The problem is linked not only to the four major inter-district bus terminals but also to numerous informal bus stops on busy roads. Examples include the road opposite Notre Dame College, the Green Line stop near Rajarbagh Police Lines, and bus stops in Shyamoli, Kalyanpur and Asadgate. There is also a bus stop at the Dolaipar intersection on the Dhaka-Mawa highway.

The four major inter-district terminals also lack proper discipline. Heavy congestion develops around these areas, especially during morning and evening peak hours. Urban transport also lacks designated bus stops on many routes. Buses often stop wherever passengers are waiting. On the Malibagh-Rampura-Kuril corridor, for example, there are no clearly defined stopping points, allowing passengers to board and get off at different locations.

To address the congestion, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman ordered the immediate relocation of four major intercity bus terminals outside Dhaka. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting at the Secretariat on June 15. The four terminals are Fulbaria-Gulistan, Gabtoli, Mohakhali and Sayedabad-Jatrabari. Under the plan, Fulbaria-Gulistan would move to Keraniganj, Gabtoli to Hemayetpur and Sayedabad to Kanchpur.

The Mohakhali terminal was planned for temporary relocation to the eastern part of the city before being permanently shifted near Tongi. However, the latest information indicates that, except for the Fulbaria-Gulistan terminal, the other terminals will remain in Dhaka for now. Instead, authorities are working to separate bus depots from the Sayedabad, Gabtoli and Mohakhali terminals.

Initial depot sites have been identified in Purbachal, Narayanganj and Keraniganj. This has raised questions over why the Prime Minister’s relocation directive is not being implemented immediately. Road Transport and Bridges, Shipping and Railways Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam said the four inter-district bus terminals would be moved outside Dhaka within two to two-and-a-half years.

He made the remarks at a BSRF Dialogue organized by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum at the Secretariat Media Centre on June 18. His statement suggests that the relocation will take considerably longer than initially planned. Some buses from Mohakhali Terminal have already been sent to Purbachal. However, drivers are reluctant to operate from the new location.

They said there are no adequate food shops or mechanics, while water facilities for washing and maintaining buses are also insufficient. As a result, Purbachal is not yet suitable for full terminal operations. Mohakhali currently functions largely as a bus depot. Buses from northern parts of the country stop there, while maintenance, repairs and painting are also carried out at the facility. These activities reduce the space available for passengers. Many passengers therefore wait on nearby main roads instead of using the terminal, adding to traffic congestion.

Saiful Alam, general secretary of the Dhaka Road Transport Owners Association, told Inqilab, “The terminals will go outside Dhaka – that is true. For this reason, we are working on determining the location. For now, it has been decided to keep the buses at the depot. If suddenly a passenger from Chittagong is dropped off outside Dhaka at Kanchpur, how will that passenger come to Dhaka? Similarly, if a passenger from the northern region is dropped off at Purbachal, how will they come to the city. For this reason, we want to transfer the terminal there, providing all the facilities that a terminal should have.”

Transport Sector Faces Wider Management Issues

Allegations of extortion in the public transport sector have long been a concern. The Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation is the country’s largest organization of transport workers, with 253 affiliated unions nationwide. During the Awami League government, the organization was led by Shajahan Khan. Following the change in government, Shimul Biswas took charge. According to the report, he stopped the collection of large sums from workers’ organizations, while a small amount continued to be collected under an agreement to run the organization.

Several transport owners’ organizations also operate separately, including the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association, Bangladesh Bus-Truck Owners Association and Bangladesh Truck-Covered Van Owners Association. Their affiliated organizations operate in different districts and collect funds at fixed rates.

Saiful Alam told Inqilab that after the current government came to power, no one would be able to claim that the owners’ organizations do not receive contributions. He said transport companies operate their own offices and pay for staff, rent and other expenses. Several owners often operate a company jointly and contribute to its costs.

Transport expert Md. Hadiuzzaman said a terminal should be a place where buses arrive, pick up passengers and depart. However, many terminals have now become depots. He warned that simply moving terminals outside Dhaka would not solve the problem if the new facilities also function as depots. Proper passenger facilities and designated boarding points must be ensured for the relocation plan to work effectively.