Making Thakurgaon bus terminal operational -

Despite its inauguration around 20 years ago, the central bus terminal of Thakurgaon district remains underutilised. Transport owners and workers continue to avoid it, citing a lack of essential facilities, such as power connection and a drainage system. With the terminal left unused and unmaintained, its structure has begun to deteriorate. Built on five bighas of land along the Thakurgaon-Dinajpur highway, the terminal was intended to ease traffic congestion and eliminate illegal bus stands. Inaugurated in 2003, the terminal has not become fully operational due to a lack of interest from bus owners and drivers.

The terminal is equipped with amenities, including passenger seating, a ticket counter, and a canteen, but it remains empty. Transport companies avoid using the terminal, opting instead to park buses along the highway to easily pick up passengers. These buses occupy the highway for extended periods, creating traffic congestion and causing inconvenience to passengers, who are often left waiting by the roadside in the scorching sun or on muddy roads during heavy rains.

The years of neglect has left the terminal building in a dilapidated state. Doors and windows have been stolen, and without maintenance, the site has become littered with garbage. It now serves as a haven for drug addicts and homeless people. The government has constructed bus terminals in many districts to reduce traffic jams and accidents, yet drivers tend to avoid them.

The authorities should take necessary steps to make unused bus terminals across the country, including the Thakurgaon Central Bus Terminal, fully operational. This initiative would improve passenger service, reducing both congestion and roadside hazards.

Ashikujaman Syed

Business Development Manager

Fuyi (Xiamen) Material Technology Co. Ltd.

Xiamen, China

[email protected]