A press conference titled “Public Transport-Based Cities: The Future of Dhaka-Gazipur BRT” was held at the BIP Conference Hall located at the Planners Tower in the capital on 18 May 2026 (Monday) at 11:00 am under the initiative of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP). At the press conference, planners said that Dhaka-Gazipur BRT is not just a transport project, but an important means of integrated urban development and regional decentralization. They mentioned that although the project has not yet been fully implemented due to delays and institutional weaknesses, it needs to be implemented quickly instead of being canceled. In addition, the introduction of BRT will reduce traffic congestion, travel time, fuel costs and carbon emissions, as well as create new possibilities for economic and urban development in Gazipur and the surrounding areas. At the same time, it was called upon to strengthen the BRT company and involve professional planners and related experts, a press release said.
The keynote address was presented by the Institute’s General Secretary Planner Professor Md. Mosleh Uddin Hasan, PhD, at the press conference chaired and moderated by BIP Vice President Planner Sheikh Muhammad Mehdi Ahsan. The press conference was also addressed by BIP Founding President Planner Professor Dr. Golam Rahman, BIP Member Former President Planner Professor Dr. Adil Muhammad Khan, Gazipur Heritage and Development Organization President Engineer Md. Shamsul Haque and BIP Member Planner Md. Muntasir Mamun. BIP Board Member (Academic Affairs) Planner Shuvo Kanti Poddar was also present.
Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) Vice President Planner Sheikh Muhammad Mehdi Ahsan said in his welcome speech that the lack of coordination among skilled professionals in the country is causing delays in the implementation of many important development projects. He said that although the decision-making process is currently underway regarding the future of the project, an impartial analysis and open discussion with the participation of civil society and professionals is needed. He further said that the opinion of planners is very important in urban planning, urban management and urban transport system, so BIP has already sent a formal letter to the concerned ministry in this regard. He expressed the hope that the effective participation of planners will be ensured in future development plans.
While presenting the keynote speech at a press conference organized by the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP), BIP General Secretary Planner Dr. Md. Mosleh Uddin Hasan said that BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) is not just a public transport system; for urban and transport planners, it is a symbol of “Better Regeneration of Towns and Territories”. He mentioned that the success of BRT cannot be evaluated only by making travel easier, but rather the role it plays in urban reconstruction, land use change, creation of new social and economic potential and environmental development, the real success depends on it. He said that although various types of MRT (metrorail, tube, skytrain, etc.) are currently operating in about 205 cities worldwide, the growth rate of BRT numbers has been about 383 percent since 2000. The main reasons for this are the opportunity for rapid implementation at a relatively low cost, the ability to operate using existing road infrastructure, easy expansion arrangements, and the possibility of creating connections with local industries and economies.
He said that although the Dhaka-Gazipur BRT project, which started in 2012, was supposed to be completed by 2016, it has not yet been fully launched due to various complications. He mentioned that it is possible to launch a basic BRT service with the unused funds of this project. In addition, an additional two to three billion taka may be required for the use of improved buses and an additional about one thousand taka may be spent to launch modern electric buses. On the other hand, even if the project is canceled and the BRT corridor is opened for general vehicles, it will cost 1000-12 thousand crore taka for the removal of existing stations, ramps and escalators and compensation to contractors.
Highlighting the potential benefits of the Dhaka-Gazipur BRT, he said that if this corridor is launched, the travel time will be reduced by about 30 percent, the pressure of small vehicles on the corridor and surrounding roads will be reduced, fuel consumption and carbon emissions will be reduced, and safe and comfortable travel will be ensured for women, children and the elderly. He said that the project has been stalled for a long time due to weak institutional structure, unprofessional management and influence of vested interests. In addition, the BRT company has been turned into a weak institution. Therefore, to strengthen the BRT company, it is necessary to appoint professional manpower including urban and transport planners and include BIP, IEB, local government representatives and professional planners in the board of directors.
He said that not only Dhaka’s Strategic Transport Plan, but also the recent Gazipur Transport Plan has given importance to the expansion of BRT. Gazipur is the largest city corporation in the country and one of the fastest growing urban areas. In addition, the Dhaka-Gazipur-Narayanganj (DGN) region is the largest economic and populous urban region in the country. Therefore, an integrated public transport system is very important to utilize the potential of Gazipur and Narayanganj by decentralizing investment and development centered in Dhaka. In this context, he referred to the Dhaka-Gazipur BRT as the “lifeline” of future sustainable urban development.
