MRT Line-6's warning signs must not be ignored
The unearthing of serious structural deficiencies in Dhaka's MRT Line-6 has understandably caused widespread concern. Barely 30 months after the country's first metro rail system entered service, questions are now being raised not only about the quality of the ride but, more importantly, about the dependability of the infrastructure itself....
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Addressing the capital's liveability crisis
The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), a sister concern of the Economist magazine has published its 2026 edition of liveability index. According to the EIU, Dhaka's position remains unchanged at 171st, like last year's, out of 173 cities in the world. Although its score has slightly improved from last year's 41.7...
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The city that cannot drain itself
Every monsoon brings out the same distressing reality of Dhaka --- the capital of the country continues to be woefully ill-prepared for dealing with rain. It does not require a heavy downpour for hours to incapacitate the city; a moderate rain for an hour is enough for that, inundating roads,...
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Challenges of popularising Bangla QR
Introducing Bangla QR has become more of a dilemma for retail traders than a breakthrough. The main issue is the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR), which has become the primary concern in promoting financial inclusion. A minimum MDR of 1.0 per cent is considered an additional burden on traders, as it...
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Will Bangladesh ever play in the FIFA World Cup?
Every time the FIFA World Cup arrives, Bangladesh is swept up in football fever. The flags of Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Portugal, and other nations flutter from rooftops across the country. Debates over favourite teams dominate tea stalls, classrooms, and offices. However, amid this excitement, one question remains: why are we...
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