To ensure an environmentally friendly and modern public transport system in Dhaka, the government has undertaken an initiative to introduce 400 electric buses and a comprehensive policy is being developed to bring discipline and safety to the operation of electric three-wheelers.
Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed presented the proposed budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, amounting to Tk7,89,999 crore, in a televised speech on Monday.
He stated that the government is revising and updating several laws, regulations, and policies to make the country’s road transport system more sustainable, safer, and environmentally friendly.
As part of this plan, 400 electric buses will be incorporated into Dhaka’s public transport network.
He also said that in response to the increasing number of electric three-wheelers and the associated safety concerns, a "Policy for the Management of Electric Three-Wheelers" is being formulated.
Alongside this, steps are being taken to restructure the long-dormant Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority by amending the 2012 Act and enacting a new ordinance titled the "Bangladesh Urban Transport Authority Ordinance."
In his budget speech, the finance adviser further noted that the "Highway Master Plan 2040," supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is now in its final stages.
Once implemented, the plan is expected to bring significant improvements to the country’s national highway network.
Highlighting the government’s priorities in the railway sector, Salehuddin pointed out that although rail transport is globally recognized as safe, comfortable, and cost-effective, Bangladesh has yet to achieve the desired progress in this area. "However, the government aims to fundamentally transform the situation."
According to him, initiatives are underway in line with the 30-year railway master plan, including the construction of double-line tracks, gauge unification, modern signalling systems, improved connectivity with seaports, introduction of modern locomotives, and implementation of an electric traction system.
The finance adviser expressed hope that the implementation of these initiatives would bring about the desired environmentally friendly and sustainable transformation in the country’s transport sector.
