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2 MRT lines may miss deadline
Feasibility studies for MRT-2 and 4 yet to start

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The metro rail authorities are likely to miss the 2030 deadline for completing two of the six planned metro lines in Dhaka as they have not yet started carrying out feasibility studies for the two lines.

With the consultants already hired, the authorities are set to start conducting the feasibility study for Mass Rapid Transit Line-4. But the progress of the MRT Line-2 project is disappointing as the financier for the feasibility study has not yet been found, let alone hiring a consultant for the work, officials concerned said.

Once the feasibility studies are done and financiers are found, the authorities will have to go through a long process -- preparing a project proposal, having it approved, acquiring land, preparing a detailed design, and floating tenders to hire contractors, they said.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.
 

Dhaka's transport turmoil

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The manoeuvring and manipulation of the public transport system remains a perennial source of pain and suffering for commuters and non-commuters alike. PHOTO: PRABIR DAS

Dhaka is the world's rickshaw capital. It is also arguably the mobile museum of broken buses. For a city that aspires to be smart, paddle rickshaws and rickety buses past their recyclable years seem to be an anathema. Yet, they reign in scandalous glory. To exacerbate the situation, the city has incorporated indigenous innovations to power the paddle rickshaws and disregarded the laws pertaining to dilapidated buses. The manoeuvring and manipulation of the public transport system remains a perennial source of pain and suffering for commuters and non-commuters alike.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.
 
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)Line 3 construction update 5/26/2024. BRT runs from Dhaka Int'l Airport to Gazipur North of Dhaka. They are planning to inaugurate the service with Electric buses but no use raising our hopes until we see this for real.

 

Bangabandhu tunnel: Expenditure much higher than income
Anwar Hossain & Sujan GhoseDhaka and Chattogram
Published: 28 May 2024, 08: 44

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Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel in ChattogramFile photo

The tunnel built under the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram is not getting as much traffic as expected yet resulting in less than expected toll collection. As of now, the revenue generated from the tunnel is much less than maintenance costs and toll collection.

According to the bridge division, over 4,500 vehicles have used the tunnel every day on average so far. It was predicted that at least four times that number of vehicles would use the tunnel. Daily average income from the toll of the tunnel is Tk 11,80,000 taka. On the other hand, the average daily expenditure for collection and maintenance of this toll is Tk 3.75 million.

The main length of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel built under the Karnaphuli river is 3.32 km. It is the first under-river tunnel in the country. The tunnel was built with Chinese loans and Bangladesh government funding.

Sources from Bangladesh Bridges Authority said paying the installments of loan taken from China would start from this year. As the income is less than expected, maintenance cost would have to be paid from income generated from other bridges. As a result, the government will have to pay a subsidy from the revenue sector to pay the loan.

The tunnel has eased the commute as crossing the road now takes three to three and half minutes. However, economists , businessmen and bridges authority said the roads on the one side of the tunnel were not widened. The Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) has not taken much initiative to expand the city on the other side of Karnaphuli river. There should be industrialization centering the tunnel. The use of the tunnel could be increased once these initiatives are taken.

Bridges division's secretary Md Monjur Hossain told Prothom Alo that work to connect Cox's Bazar and Matarbari with the tunnel is going on. The use of the tunnel and income would increase if it can be connected with Cox's Bazar and Matarbari roads.

About the repayment of the installment of the Chinese loan, he said the matter is now under the finance ministry.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.
 
Feasibility study for MRT Line-4 begins in June
The metro rail authority will start the feasibility study for Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Line-4 next month, which is supposed to link Dhaka with Narayanganj's Madanpur.
The consultants hired for the job have reached Dhaka and held a meeting with the metro railway authorities on Monday.
"They [consultants] will first visit the project area and will mobilise their manpower to start the study next month," MAN Siddique, managing director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Ltd (DMTCL), told The Daily Star on Monday.

He said a consortium of four South Korean companies will carry out the feasibility study and prepare a basic design for the project. Korea will finance the work.

The consortium is supposed to complete the work within one and a half years, he said, adding that they will prepare the project's basic design to get its estimated cost.

The physical works on MRT Line-1 and MRT Line-5 (northern route) started last year, while a project proposal for MRT Line-5 (southern route) is now pending with the Planning Commission for approval.

MRT Line 4 and 2 are lagging behind in terms of preparation and may miss the deadline to complete the lines within 2030, officials said.
Although feasibility of MRT Line-4 is going to start, the financier for the feasibility study of MRT Line-2 has not yet been found, let alone hiring a consultant for the work, they added.

Once the feasibility studies are done and financiers are found, the authorities will have to go through a long process -- preparing a project proposal, having it approved, acquiring land, preparing a detailed design, and floating tenders to hire contractors, they said.

All these preparatory works usually take three to four years, which is why the authorities may not be able to meet the deadline for these projects, officials feared.

Asked whether they will be able to complete MRT Lines 2 and 4 within the stipulated time, Siddique said, "Let us start the work first, and then we will figure out if we can meet the deadline."

As per the preliminary plan, MRT Line-4 is supposed to be built from Kamalapur to Narayanganj underground.

However, metro rail authorities later changed the plan as Bangladesh Railway is expanding the existing lines from Dhaka to Narayanganj.

Its new 16km route will stretch from Dhaka to Narayanganj's Madanpur via Signboard. In May last year, the government signed a MoU with South Korea to finance the project.

As per the pre-feasibility study, the route will have both underground and elevated sections. The possible alignment would be Kamalapur, Sayedabad, Jatrabari, Shanir Akhra, Signboard, Chittagong Road, Kanchapur and Madanpur.
 

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Another video for the Dhaka MRT-6 extension from Motijheel to Kamalapur Passenger/Logistics Hub. The new Metro station structure near Kamalapur Terminus is now visible.

 

Why does budget ignore public transport?
TANIM ASJAD
Published :
Jun 07, 2024 21:40
Updated :
Jun 07, 2024 21:40
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Nobody expects the annual national budget to solve various socio-economic problems, as the budget is never a panacea. What is, however, rationally expected is that the finance minister's budget speech would recognise the key problems. Once the issues are recognised, an opportunity is provided to devise some realistic measures or guidelines to overcome them. Going through the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year (FY25), it is disappointing to find that the annual public expenditure outlay pays little attention to citizens' smooth and efficient mobility. In other words, it has no well-thought-out spending plan for revamping the country's public transport.

The lack of attention to public transport in the budget is not a recent development. For the past few years, this scribe has been tracking this trend. Absence of policymakers' concern about public transport is evident in their focus on expensive infrastructure projects, leaving little time for the development of an efficient public transport system. This lack of focus has led to a situation where, apart from the Dhaka Metro Rail, there is little pragmatic effort to address the public transport issues in the country. The finance minister in his budget speech, delivered on Thursday last, mentioned the 'public transport' only once and that also in reference to the metro rail.

Bangladesh is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and also one of the most populous countries. Dhaka is one of the most densely populated megacities across the globe. So, it is not possible to ensure smooth and fast mobility of millions of inhabitants in the city without an efficient public transport system. Moreover, bus-oriented public transport may provide a better solution in this already congested, chaotic city.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.
 

Public transports in a shambles
SHIABUR RAHMAN
Published :
Jun 13, 2024 21:49
Updated :
Jun 14, 2024 21:20
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The inhabitants of Dhaka city have been bombarded with the official jargon of turning the city into a 'tilottoma' or incomparably beautiful capital since the regime of HM Ershad. Although survey reports find the capital of Bangladesh as one of the world's least liveable cities, its administrators have kept pledging they would make the city 'tilottoma'. But every city dweller knows how beautiful the 'tilottoma' Dhaka is. In fact, no aspect of the city, the capital of Bangladesh, is beautiful by any standard.

Anyone commuting in the capital must acknowledge that the public transport system here is one of the worst in the world. The state of public transport will make anyone disbelieve that there is any government policy for the sector or any sensible person is behind Dhaka's transport system.

Except the government-run metro rail on the Uttara-Agargaon segment opened one and a half years back and then extended the service up to Motijheel about seven months ago to the public, almost the entire transport sector is run by private operators who are least inclined to comply with rules. The transport system is plagued by obsolete, shabby and unfit buses, unskilled and unruly drivers, corrupt regulators, undisciplined commuters and political influence. How the rundown buses plying on roads secure fitness certificates and renewal of licences is baffling.

A government survey in 2017 found that around 6,900 buses and minibuses operate in Dhaka and most of them are unfit for running in the city. Urban experts, however, believe the number of vehicles will be over 8,000.

The violation of traffic rules by transport drivers, motorcyclists and commuters, and inaction of the traffic police against such violations have contributed greatly to the transport sector anarchy. According to a survey of a passenger platform, Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity, 87 per cent public transports, including buses and minibuses, ply in Dhaka violating traffic rules. Buses pick up or drop off passengers or wait for them anywhere the drivers or their aides please. It is not only the bus staff to blame for stopping their vehicles at undesignated places; passengers also force transport staff often to drop them at their convenient places whatever inconvenience they may cause to other passengers or other vehicles.

Public transport in the capital has reached such a point that it has become impossible for any gentleman to commute on it. Motorbikes, which have mushroomed because of the boom in ride-sharing, and pedestrians' jaywalking have aggravated the transport disarray. Their intrusion on footpaths makes walking of pedestrians impossible.

The metro has brought a new dimension to the transport system but its services are limited to a particular route and the mismanagement that prevails everywhere in Bangladesh has already found its way into its system. During rush hours, metro stations witness long queues of passengers who have to wait for a long time to purchase tickets as the number of ticket counters is limited. If any commuter has to wait for half an hour to purchase a metro ticket, why will they choose the expensive metro over bus service?

Policymakers, regulators and other stakeholders should act prudently to improve the public transport system, taking a holistic approach. The shabby buses should be replaced with new ones in no time, bus staff should be trained well on traffic rules while passengers should be aware of what they should do and what not.​
 

Public transports in a shambles
SHIABUR RAHMAN
Published :
Jun 13, 2024 21:49
Updated :
Jun 14, 2024 21:20
View attachment 6503

The inhabitants of Dhaka city have been bombarded with the official jargon of turning the city into a 'tilottoma' or incomparably beautiful capital since the regime of HM Ershad. Although survey reports find the capital of Bangladesh as one of the world's least liveable cities, its administrators have kept pledging they would make the city 'tilottoma'. But every city dweller knows how beautiful the 'tilottoma' Dhaka is. In fact, no aspect of the city, the capital of Bangladesh, is beautiful by any standard.

Anyone commuting in the capital must acknowledge that the public transport system here is one of the worst in the world. The state of public transport will make anyone disbelieve that there is any government policy for the sector or any sensible person is behind Dhaka's transport system.

Except the government-run metro rail on the Uttara-Agargaon segment opened one and a half years back and then extended the service up to Motijheel about seven months ago to the public, almost the entire transport sector is run by private operators who are least inclined to comply with rules. The transport system is plagued by obsolete, shabby and unfit buses, unskilled and unruly drivers, corrupt regulators, undisciplined commuters and political influence. How the rundown buses plying on roads secure fitness certificates and renewal of licences is baffling.

A government survey in 2017 found that around 6,900 buses and minibuses operate in Dhaka and most of them are unfit for running in the city. Urban experts, however, believe the number of vehicles will be over 8,000.

The violation of traffic rules by transport drivers, motorcyclists and commuters, and inaction of the traffic police against such violations have contributed greatly to the transport sector anarchy. According to a survey of a passenger platform, Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity, 87 per cent public transports, including buses and minibuses, ply in Dhaka violating traffic rules. Buses pick up or drop off passengers or wait for them anywhere the drivers or their aides please. It is not only the bus staff to blame for stopping their vehicles at undesignated places; passengers also force transport staff often to drop them at their convenient places whatever inconvenience they may cause to other passengers or other vehicles.

Public transport in the capital has reached such a point that it has become impossible for any gentleman to commute on it. Motorbikes, which have mushroomed because of the boom in ride-sharing, and pedestrians' jaywalking have aggravated the transport disarray. Their intrusion on footpaths makes walking of pedestrians impossible.

The metro has brought a new dimension to the transport system but its services are limited to a particular route and the mismanagement that prevails everywhere in Bangladesh has already found its way into its system. During rush hours, metro stations witness long queues of passengers who have to wait for a long time to purchase tickets as the number of ticket counters is limited. If any commuter has to wait for half an hour to purchase a metro ticket, why will they choose the expensive metro over bus service?

Policymakers, regulators and other stakeholders should act prudently to improve the public transport system, taking a holistic approach. The shabby buses should be replaced with new ones in no time, bus staff should be trained well on traffic rules while passengers should be aware of what they should do and what not.​

I thought they were going to "get strict" with bus fitness standards.

Bangladesh has probably the most unsightly buses in the entire world.

These people go overseas all the time, they have eyes, they can see.

No country in the world allows this type of low standard buses to ply in their capital anymore. Or any city for that matter.

Shame!

Same ol' is same ol' I guess.
 

Construction of railway bridge over Jamuna River enters final stage
Published :
Jun 21, 2024 16:22
Updated :
Jun 21, 2024 16:22
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The construction of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Railway Bridge over the Jamuna River is entering its final stage.

According to authorities, the railway bridge will be inaugurated by December this year.

Bridge Project Director Al Fattah Mohammad Masudur Rahman told bdnews24.com: "87 per cent of the work is complete. The rest of the work will be completed by December. The railway bridge, which has been a dream for people in the north, will be open for use."

According to Masudur, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the bridge in December.

"All preparations are being taken with this aim," he added.

The first span of the superstructure was laid down after overcoming the Jamuna River's depth and the strength of its current, paving the way for the connection between Sirajganj and Tangail.

The 4.8km-long bridge is now visible due to the links created between Sirajganj and Tangail.​
 

China keen to provide loan for another metro rail project
Special CorrespondentDhaka
Published: 03 Jul 2024, 22: 56

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China Exim Bank is interested in providing loans for construction of a metro rail route stretching from Gabtoli to Narayanganj via Sadarghat.

China would provide Tk 450 billion in the project, known as metro rail-2, worth Tk 600 billion.

The Economic Relations Division (ERD) held a meeting with the visiting delegation of the Chinese Exim Bank on Wednesday afternoon. ERD's additional secretary Mirana Mahrukh led the ERD team at the meeting held at ERD auditorium.

A total of nine projects were discussed at the meeting. Apart from metro rail, the Chinese bank is also interested in providing loans for Bhanga to Payra port railway project, estimated cost at Tk 410.80 billion.

Bangladesh also showed interest about Chinese loans in construction of a new bridge over the river Kocha in Pirojpur and repair of the Muktarpur bridge in Munshiganj. The other railway projects listed for Chinese loans include constructions of dual gauge rail track from Joydebpur in Gazipur to Jamalpur, broad gauge railway track from Dhalarchar in Pabna to Panchuria in Faridpur, a railway workshop in Rajbari and conversion of the metre gauge line to dual gauge from Bhairab Bazar to Mymensingh. These projects were discussed in yesterday's meeting.

Meanwhile, discussion was held about the availability of Chinese currency equivalent to USD 5 to 7 billion. Bangladesh informed the Chinese side about the interest rate and repayment period with grace period of such trade facility with other countries or organisations.

An ERD source said a fund like export development fund can be created after taking loans in Chinese currency. Bangladeshi exporters will be paid in Yuan against imports from China.

An official of ERD said the announcement about the Chinese loans in these road and rail projects might be made at the prime minister Sheikh Hasina's China visit slated for 8-11 July.

China has not provided Bangladesh any loan in the last one year. In the latest, Chinese loan was available in an infrastructure development project of Rajshahi WASA in May 2023. Usually when China proposes loans for any project, the Chinese authorities fix the contractor for the specific project. That contractor implements the work. There is no scope to select contractors through a tender process.​
 

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