Develop an efficient public transport system for Greater Dhaka

Dhaka is one of the world’s most congested cities. This vast urban area of about 1,000 km² stretches across very flat land, with a number of floodplains, where the road network is limited. Although the individual car ownership rate is still low – less than 5% – the various vehicle flows (trucks, buses, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, rickshaws, etc.) make the traffic particularly complicated to manage.

Hence, most of the city drives at a slow speed from morning to night. Whole neighbourhoods can be blocked for several hours, especially on rainy days.

Faced with this situation, AFD got involved in the implementation of the Greater Dhaka transport master plan, along with the World Bank, JICA and the Asian Development Bank. In partnership with the latter, AFD is providing support for the construction of the northern part of the first bus rapid transit line (BRT).

One lane will be dedicated entirely to these high-capacity buses. Their high frequency will offer travellers a comfortable and reliable service. Bus movements will be fluidized thanks to road bridges that will enable them to fly over all the intersections.

This 20 km section will link Dhaka Airport and the Uttara business centre to the Gazipur railway station, serving a fast developing area. The current population of one million could triple by 2025, as could the number of jobs. The service area is home to many textile manufacturing companies, which spearhead Bangladesh’s economy.

• This modern public transport system will halve the travel time between Dhaka airport and Gazipur and offer a new quality of service to the inhabitants.
• The city’s productivity will be improved thanks to better accessibility to employment areas and urban facilities.
• Positive impacts on the environment: reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 40,000 metric tonnes CO₂ equivalent per year and of local air pollution.