Prime Minister Tarique Rahman plans to introduce monorail systems in Dhaka’s narrow and congested lanes where metro rail services cannot reach, aiming to reduce reliance on rickshaws and auto-rickshaws amid the capital’s chronic traffic gridlock.
He has also proposed women-only electric bus services operated by female drivers to improve safety for female commuters.
The decisions were taken at a high-level meeting yesterday morning at the Secretariat, where the prime minister consulted transport experts on restructuring Dhaka’s traffic system to address persistent congestion.
Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atiqur Rahman Ruman said Tarique Rahman engaged a team of specialists led by Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) Civil Engineering Prof Dr M Shamsul Hoque to seek expert input on reorganising traffic management.
After the meeting, Prof Dr Hoque confirmed the details to the media.
The meeting focused on modernising Dhaka’s transport system as commuters lose more than 2.5 hours daily in peak-hour congestion, with average speeds dropping to just 6.4km/h, according to analyses.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam was also present at the meeting.
Speaking afterwards, Dr Hoque said the prime minister emphasised the monorail as a “feeder” system to metro rail services in narrow lanes.
“If we can bring everyone into fast transit, dependence on small vehicles like rickshaws and e-bikes will drop sharply,” he said.
The prime minister repeatedly highlighted the hardships faced by women commuters, noting that safer and dedicated transport services would help address the issue.
He also stressed decentralising Dhaka and introducing zone-based bus route franchising to curb disorderly bus operations, a major contributor to traffic congestion.
Economically, traffic congestion and noise pollution cost Bangladesh billions of taka annually through lost productivity, fuel wastage, rising health costs and reduced life expectancy.
According to a 2019 study by the World Bank, traffic congestion in Dhaka causes losses exceeding $3.8 billion per year—a figure experts believe has increased significantly since then.
Explaining the advantages of monorail systems, Dr Hoque said they are lightweight, capable of navigating sharp turns, and more suitable for dense urban settings than heavy rail.
He noted that such systems have been successfully implemented in Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore, passing through hills, buildings and market areas.
“People will avoid costly, uncomfortable rides if better public transport options are available,” he said, adding that monorails could reduce the need to regulate unruly rickshaws and auto-rickshaws.
Unlike metro rail, which serves as a backbone, monorails offer near door-to-door access in dense neighbourhoods, similar to feeder bus services supporting main routes.
The prime minister also directed authorities to introduce exclusive electric buses for women, operated by trained female drivers, with implementation ordered on a fast-track basis within a 180-day deadline, or sooner if possible.
The move aims to address safety concerns in Dhaka’s chaotic traffic conditions, where peak hours see nearly 60% of vehicles clogging roads, according to a 2023 scientific study.
Dhaka, home to more than 20 million people and over 1.2 million registered vehicles, has struggled with severe traffic congestion for years.
Data from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police show average road speeds have dropped sharply from 21km/h in 2006 to just 5km/h in 2024—among the slowest in the world.
Despite billions of taka spent by successive governments on flyovers, elevated expressways and traffic signals, gridlock continues to worsen.
Experts attribute the crisis to massive economic losses caused by reduced productivity, fuel waste and health impacts linked to stress and air pollution.
Referring to the prime minister’s engagement, Dr Hoque said Tarique Rahman had previously held discussions with transport experts on Dhaka’s traffic situation and met them again as a follow-up.
“We can see that he is serious about developing a high-quality public transport system for Dhaka, similar to those in London and other developed cities,” he said.