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

[Saif]

Metro rail sets record with 403,164 passengers in a day

The Dhaka Metro Rail has reached a new milestone, carrying a record 403,164 passengers in a single day, according to the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL). In its verified Facebook post on Friday, DMTCL announced that the record-breaking figure was achieved on Thursday, marking the highes

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Metro rail sets record with 403,164 passengers in a day
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
Feb 15, 2025 12:50
Updated :
Feb 15, 2025 14:32

The Dhaka Metro Rail has reached a new milestone, carrying a record 403,164 passengers in a single day, according to the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL).

In its verified Facebook post on Friday, DMTCL announced that the record-breaking figure was achieved on Thursday, marking the highest number of passengers transported in a single day since the metro rail service was inaugurated.

Expressing gratitude, DMTCL extended thanks to passengers, well-wishers, and stakeholders for their support in achieving this milestone, reports UNB.

A Popular and Efficient Mode of Transport

Since its inauguration, the Dhaka Metro Rail has emerged as a crucial component of the city’s transport system.

The service is particularly popular due to its speed, reliability, and modern facilities. Commuters benefit from avoiding Dhaka’s notorious traffic congestion, reducing both travel time and accident risks.

Designed to accommodate over 60,000 passengers per hour, the metro rail offers a safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly alternative to road transport. The service is increasingly becoming the preferred choice for daily commuters seeking convenience and efficiency.

Expanding the Metro Network

The Dhaka Metro Rail project is being implemented by DMTCL, with multiple lines planned to enhance urban mobility.

The first operational line, MRT Line 6, is nearing full completion. Besides, MRT Line 1 and MRT Line 5 are currently under construction, while MRT Line 2 and MRT Line 4 remain in the planning stages.

Once fully operational, the metro network is expected to significantly alleviate Dhaka’s traffic congestion and contribute to the economic and social development of the greater Dhaka area. By offering a modern and efficient transport system, the metro rail is poised to be a game-changer in the city’s urban development.

The introduction of the metro rail aligns with efforts to create a sustainable urban transport system in Dhaka. By reducing reliance on road transport, it is expected to lower carbon emissions and improve air quality in the city.​

 

[Saif]

MRT line-5: Gabtoli-Dasherkandi route in the offing

The planning ministry is now set to present the project proposal to the Ecnec for final approval.

www.thedailystar.net

MRT line-5: Gabtoli-Dasherkandi route in the offing
Project okayed by Planning Commission, now awaits Ecnec approval

The Planning Commission yesterday approved the project for constructing the southern route of the Mass Rapid Transit Line-5 (southern route), which will connect Gabtoli to Dasherkandi.

The approval was granted at a meeting of the commission's Project Evaluation Committee.

The planning ministry is now set to present the project proposal to the Ecnec (Executive Committee of the National Economic Council) for final approval.

According to a ministry official, the line will be constructed at a cost of Tk 47,721 crore, with 2031 set as the deadline.
The project was initially proposed in 2023 under the Awami League government at an estimated cost of Tk 54,618 crore. However, after revision, the cost came down to Tk 47,721 crore. Of this amount, Tk 32,332 crore will be financed by the Asian Development Bank and the South Korean government.

According to project documents, after the interim government took office, the planning commission returned the project proposal to Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited under the Roads and Highways Division (RHD) to determine whether the project should proceed.

The RHD confirmed it would be implemented and then resubmitted the proposal to the planning ministry for the next steps.

Once constructed, the southern route will start from Gabtoli and end at Dasherkandi, passing through Kalyanpur, Shyamoli, Asad Gate, Russell Square, Karwan Bazar, Hatirjheel, Tejgaon, and Aftabnagar.

It will feature 11 underground and four elevated stations. The underground stations will be between Gabtoli and Aftabnagar, while the elevated ones will be from Aftabnagar to Dasherkandi.

Initially, 19 trains with six air-conditioned coaches will operate on the route.

According to the documents, the middle coaches of each train will accommodate a maximum of 323 passengers, while the trailer coaches will carry 308 passengers.

With a travel time of 28 minutes between Gabtoli and Dasherkandi, one train will depart every four and half minutes.

The route is expected to help reduce traffic congestion and improve the environment in the capital and surrounding areas.

Operations of the country's first metro rail line, formerly known as MRT Line-6, began in November 2023, except for its Motijheel-Kamalapur section.

Two more lines -- MRT Line-5 (northern route) and MRT Line-1 -- are currently being constructed.​

 

[Saif]

Easing Dhaka's perennial traffic congestion

Despite extensive discussions and proposed solutions, the relentless traffic congestion in Dhaka continues to worsen, demanding urgent attention. The situation exacerbates during the holy month of Ramadan every year, underscoring the pressing need for immediate action. Over the past two decades, D

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Easing Dhaka's perennial traffic congestion
Tanim Asjad
Published :
Mar 07, 2025 21:34
Updated :
Mar 07, 2025 21:34

Despite extensive discussions and proposed solutions, the relentless traffic congestion in Dhaka continues to worsen, demanding urgent attention. The situation exacerbates during the holy month of Ramadan every year, underscoring the pressing need for immediate action.

Over the past two decades, Dhaka and other major cities have experienced rapid urbanisation and a rise in motor vehicles. Though the increase in private cars is modest, on an average 1.50 per cent in the last ten years, the increase in motorcycles is sharp. BRTA statistics showed that the annual average growth in registered motorcycles stood at 9.70 per cent in the previous decade. Besides the registered motor vehicles, the unregulated rise in motorised contraptions, battery-run rickshaws to be precise, has compounded urban challenges, mainly traffic congestion. Almost all roads and streets in Dhaka are now occupied by motorcycles and batter-run rickshaws, intensifying traffic congestion. Non-battery or human-pedalled rickshaws are also growing, only to make things worse.

Ride-sharing motorcycles and rickshaws are used as personal vehicles as these can carry only one or two people at a time. So, Dhaka faces unique congestion challenges mainly due to the overwhelming reliance on personal vehicles. These vehicles, coupled with CNG-driven three-wheelers, are also considered para-transit as these offer door-to-door services between points that are not served by regular public transports. Being vastly responsive to passenger demand, these vehicles become an essential mode of public transport, also reflecting inadequacies in public transportation systems.

However, motorcycles have become a serious troublemaker to other vehicles on roads and pedestrians due to unruliness. It already has a bad name for gross violation of traffic rules. Riding on footpaths and driving from the opposite direction of the roads by the bikers have become unstoppable. Criminals are also using motorcycles for quick escape from the spots. The recent surge in snatching, mugging and robbery in Dhaka owes significantly to motorcycles.

Battery-run rickshaws also become a menace on roads and streets due to growing unruliness. Though the vehicle provides comfort to passengers and drivers, reckless and unruly driving has become a regular thing now, putting pedestrians and other vehicles at risk. Like some motorcycles, many battery-run rickshaws also drive on the wrong sides and in opposite directions of roads. Rickshaws and motorcycles are parked at various turning points and intersections of roads and streets, causing undue congestion.

Illegal occupation of footpaths and roadsides by makeshift vendors only adds to the traffic congestion. Pedestrians cannot walk, and vehicles cannot move smoothly due to these makeshift outlets. Over the years, the makeshift shops have been backed by political goons and police. After the political changeover on August 5, it now becomes a big question: who is still backing the makeshift vendors? The same old but flawed logic that the vendors are poor people and need some support cannot be accepted at all. Footpaths must be free for walkers, and streets and roads for the movement of vehicles.

If all the footpaths become free from any illegal occupation, people will choose to walk more and avoid any kind of vehicles to travel short distances. It will help reduce the demand for cars on roads and ultimately contribute to cutting the congestion to some extent. Again, keeping the roads free from vendors will help ease vehicular movement. Moreover, more public buses are necessary to reduce the number of motorcycles and rickshaws on roads and streets. The buses have to be decent and commuter-friendly. All these suggestions are not new at all. Nevertheless, repeating this is necessary as the authorities seem to be indifferent to the problems.​