The government has undertaken initiatives to construct nine inter-city bus terminals at the entrance of Dhaka in order to reduce traffic within the city.
Dhaka Transport Co-ordination Authority (DTCA) sources said that the decision to decentralise the bus terminals from the metropolitan area was taken during the association’s 13 meeting.
They said that a Tk 50 million project has been adopted and will be implemented by the DTCA.
“Alternative measures will be adopted to remove the inter-district bus terminals from Dhaka metro,” said Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader.
He added that work was underway and feasibility studies were ongoing to implement the project.
DTCA Executive Director ASM Ilias Shah said that only inter-city bus terminals will be allowed within the metro area.
“Initiatives for a primary survey has been undertaken which started in October,” said before adding that once the survey is over, they will determine the location.
Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association Secretary General Khandoker Enyet Ullah said that in addition to buses, cargo trucks can also be parked in the new terminals.
According to the city corporation there are currently three inter-district bus terminals in Gabtoli, Sayedabad and Mohakhali.
Moreover, bus counters and depots of the long-route buses are scattered around the city which has given rise to traffic that the police are struggling to control.