Dhaka's worsening traffic congestion continues to intensify as long-delayed plans to relocate inter-district bus terminals remain largely stalled, with authorities yet to begin land acquisition despite policy commitments made in 2021.
A feasibility study conducted that year identified the existing terminals at Mohakhali, Gabtoli and Saidabad as major contributors to gridlock, as hundreds of buses occupy city streets due to limited terminal capacity.
The study initially shortlisted 10 sites and later proposed five locations -- Baghair, Kanchan South, Gram Bhatulia, Bhulta and Hemayetpur -- for developing modern terminals equipped with fleet management facilities. Authorities subsequently narrowed the plan to four sites.
However, officials say little progress has been made, particularly in land acquisition -- a key prerequisite for implementation.
The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), the two implementing agencies, have yet to initiate formal land acquisition processes since 2021.
With the new government placing renewed emphasis on the relocation plan under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's 180-day agenda to ease congestion, both city corporations have recently resumed preliminary activities.
According to official sources, DNCC finalised 43 acres of land in Hemayetpur in 2024 and submitted a preliminary development project proposal. However, the Planning Commission in 2025 asked the corporation to conduct a detailed feasibility study before moving ahead. No further steps have been taken since.
Progress at the Gram Bhatulia site under a public-private partnership (PPP) model has also been slow due to land ownership complications. Of the proposed 27 acres, only 5.4 acres belong to the Land Reforms Board. DNCC is now considering seeking ownership transfer to meet PPP requirements.
On the southern side, DSCC officials said a terminal was initially planned at Kachpur on 12.6 acres of land owned by the Roads and Highways Department (RHD), but approval is still pending. Despite this, initial project formulation has begun, including site development and boundary wall construction.
Meanwhile, the proposed Baghair terminal in Keraniganj faces major hurdles, as the entire 33.63 acres required are privately owned, making acquisition difficult despite its strategic importance for buses serving southern districts.
Currently, hundreds of inter-district buses enter and leave Dhaka daily through Mohakhali, Gabtoli and Saidabad terminals. Due to space shortages, many buses park along roadsides, worsening congestion.
Traffic conditions deteriorate further as buses frequently move across city roads instead of operating from designated terminals.
Although DSCC has undertaken renovation work at Saidabad Bus Terminal, officials admit it is insufficient to cope with the rising number of buses serving the southwestern and eastern regions.
"Relocating inter-district terminals outside the capital has long been necessary, but reluctance among authorities has complicated and delayed the process," said an official involved in the feasibility study.
With land acquisition stalled and coordination gaps persisting, the long-discussed relocation plan risks further delays, prolonging the daily traffic woes of Dhaka's commuters.
smunima@yahoo.com
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