The Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed the relocation of the Sayedabad, Gulistan and Mohakhali bus terminals in the capital as part of a broader initiative to restore road discipline and address Dhaka’s long-standing traffic congestion.
The directive was disclosed to journalists on Monday following the third round of discussions on traffic decongestion and modernisation of traffic management, held at the Cabinet Division conference room in the Secretariat.
Transport expert Dr Md Hadiuzzaman and administrators of the Dhaka North and South City Corporations briefed the media after the meeting with the Prime Minister.
Chaired by the Prime Minister, the meeting reviewed in detail the traffic situation in Dhaka and other parts of the country, along with issues related to traffic management and urban transport reform.
Officials noted that the Sayedabad, Gulistan and Mohakhali bus terminals, located at key entry points and commercial hubs of the capital, have long been identified as major contributors to severe traffic congestion within Dhaka city. In view of this, the Prime Minister directed authorities to gradually shift these terminals from central locations to suitable peripheral sites outside the capital.
Transport expert Dr Md Hadiuzzaman said the meeting also discussed measures to ensure alternative livelihoods for street hawkers and to make sidewalks more accessible for pedestrian use.
He added that although substantial investment has already been made in the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, abandoning it would set an undesirable precedent. Instead, the meeting emphasised upgrading the project into a functional public transport corridor to maximise public benefit. He further said that alternative proposals in this regard would be submitted within seven days.
Dr Hadiuzzaman also said that, as a temporary measure to ease congestion, land in Purbachal has been allocated for bus depots for Mohakhali terminal. Under the arrangement, buses will enter the terminal only during passenger boarding.
Similarly, temporary alternative locations have been identified for the Sayedabad and Fulbaria bus terminals, while work on permanent relocation plans is ongoing. He added that traffic signals in the Shahbagh area are expected to be operational from next week.
Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator and freedom fighter Md Abdur Salam said the Prime Minister instructed that the Sayedabad bus terminal be brought under proper management, along with directives for the swift implementation of an inter-district bus terminal at Kanchpur.
He also said steps would be taken to relocate the Gulistan terminal. The Prime Minister further stressed that hawkers should not be removed arbitrarily but should be brought under a structured management system to maintain order.
Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan said buses would be restricted from stopping on roads in the Mohakhali area. He added that a bus depot in Purbachal had been approved as an initial step, with necessary support to be provided by the city corporation for its implementation.