[🇧🇩] City Buses, Metro Rail, Urban Transport & City Road Infra

[Bilal9]

Dhaka MRT-6 extension from Motijheel to Kamalapur Passenger/Logistics Hub current status

 

[Bilal9]

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.

 

[Bilal9]

Dhaka Airport Road cleanup continues.

 

[Saif]

Why does budget ignore public transport?

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 de

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Why does budget ignore public transport?
TANIM ASJAD
Published :
Jun 07, 2024 21:40
Updated :
Jun 07, 2024 21:40

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.​

 

[Bilal9]

Dhaka Metro Line 6 Karwan Bazar Walkway was opened up, reducing need for pedestrians to cross streets.

 

[Bilal9]

Dhaka Airport 3rd terminal construction update

 

[Bilal9]

Dhaka Bus Rapid Transit Update

 

[Bilal9]

Madani Avenue in Dhaka current status

 

[Saif]

Public transports in a shambles

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 h

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

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

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.​

 

[Bilal9]

Public transports in a shambles

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 h

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

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.

 

[Bilal9]

 

[Saif]

It looks good

 

[Saif]

Construction of railway bridge over Jamuna River enters final stage

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 t

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Construction of railway bridge over Jamuna River enters final stage
Published :
Jun 21, 2024 16:22
Updated :
Jun 21, 2024 16:22

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.​

 

[Bilal9]

Dhaka flyovers being painted in cultural themes while cleanup alongside major thoroughfares continues.

 

[Saif]

China keen to provide loan for another metro rail project

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...

en.prothomalo.com

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

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.​