Dhaka Faces Gridlock Crisis as Metro Rail Expansion Hits New Delays

Dhaka, the bustling capital of Bangladesh, is grappling with a worsening traffic congestion crisis as the much-anticipated expansion of the metro rail system faces yet another delay, officials confirmed on Wednesday. The setback, attributed to technical complications and funding shortfalls, has left millions of commuters frustrated and intensified calls for urgent infrastructure reforms.

The Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited, the state-owned agency overseeing the project, announced that the extension of Line 6 from Motijheel to Kamalapur will be postponed by at least six months, pushing the expected completion date to late 2025. The line, which currently runs from Uttara to Motijheel, was intended to ease pressure on one of the world’s most congested urban networks, where average traffic speeds have dropped to below 7 kilometers per hour during peak hours.

“The delays are deeply concerning for the daily commuters who rely on this service,” said transport analyst Dr. Ayesha Rahman of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. “Without a timely expansion, the gridlock will only worsen, particularly as the city’s population continues to grow.” Dhaka, home to over 20 million people, sees an estimated 4 million vehicles on its roads daily, a number that has surged by 30% over the past decade.

The metro rail, which began operations in 2022, has been a rare bright spot in the city’s transport landscape, carrying over 200,000 passengers daily. However, its limited reach—covering just 20 kilometers of a planned 130-kilometer network—has left most commuters dependent on buses, rickshaws, and private cars. The expansion delays have heightened concerns about the government’s ability to meet its 2030 target for a comprehensive mass transit system.

In response, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police has announced temporary measures to alleviate congestion, including stricter enforcement of traffic rules and the deployment of additional officers at key intersections. “We are doing everything possible to keep traffic moving, but the root cause remains the lack of adequate public transport,” said police spokesperson Md. Kamrul Hasan. He noted that violations such as illegal parking and unlicensed vehicles have surged, contributing to the chaos.

Meanwhile, the international community has taken notice. The World Bank, a key financier of the metro project, has urged the Bangladeshi government to prioritize transparency and efficiency in its execution. “Delays in large-scale infrastructure projects can have cascading economic and social impacts,” said a World Bank spokesperson in a statement. “We remain committed to supporting Bangladesh’s urban development, but timely implementation is critical.”

For residents like shopkeeper Abdul Karim, 45, who commutes from the outskirts to the city center daily, the gridlock has become a daily ordeal. “I spend three to four hours in traffic just to go to work and back. It is exhausting and affects my business,” he said. “The metro was supposed to change this, but now we are told to wait longer. It is disheartening.”

As the government scrambles to address the delays, opposition leaders have criticized the administration’s handling of the project, calling for greater accountability. “This is a failure of planning and execution,” said opposition lawmaker Shahriar Kabir. “The people of Dhaka deserve better, and the government must answer for these repeated setbacks.”

Despite the challenges, officials remain optimistic. DMTCL managing director M.A.N. Siddique stated that the extension would ultimately transform the city’s transport landscape. “We understand the frustration, but we are committed to delivering a world-class system,” he said. “Once complete, the metro will significantly reduce travel times and improve quality of life for millions.”

For now, however, Dhaka’s residents must endure the daily grind, hoping that the promised relief arrives before the city’s roads become completely impassable.