Dhaka City Expands Public Transit Amid Urban Growth Challenges

Dhaka, Bangladesh – The capital city of Bangladesh is rolling out a series of infrastructure upgrades aimed at easing chronic traffic congestion and improving public transportation, as the city continues to grow at one of the fastest rates in South Asia. With a population exceeding 22 million in the greater metropolitan area, urban planners are introducing new bus rapid transit (BRT) lanes, expanding metro rail lines, and integrating smart traffic management systems across key corridors.

The latest phase of the Dhaka Mass Transit Company’s BRT project, known as BRT Line 2, has begun operations along the main route connecting Motijheel to Dhanmondi. The route, which serves over 150,000 daily commuters, features dedicated lanes, elevated boarding platforms, and real-time tracking via mobile applications. Officials say the system is designed to reduce average commute times by up to 40 percent in its first year of operation.

In parallel, work on the Dhaka Metro Rail’s East-West Line has advanced significantly. The first phase, linking Uttara in the north to Kamalapur in the south, is expected to open by late 2025. This line is anticipated to serve approximately 1.2 million passengers daily and is being developed with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The project includes underground tunnels, modern signaling systems, and eco-friendly station designs.

Environmental and civic groups have welcomed the improvements but caution that long-term sustainability requires more than infrastructure. Dr. Ayesha Rahman, an urban policy expert at the University of Dhaka, noted, "While new transit systems are vital, they must be paired with stronger land-use planning and investment in non-motorized transport. Without integrated policies, traffic congestion will simply shift rather than diminish."

Internationally, Dhaka’s urban development is being watched closely by global city planners. The World Bank recently released a report highlighting Dhaka as a case study in managing rapid urbanization under climate stress. The report emphasized the city’s vulnerability to flooding, rising temperatures, and sea-level rise, urging city authorities to incorporate climate resilience into all new infrastructure projects.

Recent flooding in July 2024, which affected over 200 neighborhoods and disrupted transit for several days, underscored the urgency of such measures. In response, the city has begun piloting a network of elevated walkways and stormwater drainage systems in flood-prone areas like Mirpur and Khilgaon. These systems are being tested with funding from the Asian Development Bank.

Despite progress, challenges remain. Over 70 percent of Dhaka’s public transport still relies on informal minibus services, which operate without regulation and contribute to traffic bottlenecks. Authorities are now considering a phased licensing program for private operators to bring them under a formal system.

City officials maintain that the current initiatives are part of a broader 10-year Urban Development Master Plan, which aims to make Dhaka more livable, efficient, and resilient. As the city continues to absorb millions of rural migrants each year, the success of these projects could set a precedent for other megacities in the Global South.

With the next phase of the metro rail and a second BRT line scheduled for construction by 2026, city leaders say they are committed to balancing growth with sustainability. "We’re not just building roads and rails," said Transport Minister Kamal Hossain. "We’re building a future where people can move freely, safely, and sustainably."