Dhaka:The government has announced a plan to upgrade the Dhaka-Gazipur Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor into a six-lane highway. This initiative aims to reorganize the existing BRT infrastructure to ensure smoother and faster traffic movement, allocating three lanes for general traffic in each direction.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the plan includes removing BRT stations, lane dividers, and other associated infrastructure. Additionally, two existing two-lane flyovers will be upgraded to four lanes. The decision was discussed during a cabinet meeting on October 18, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The Dhaka Bus Rapid Transit PLC will be dissolved, and oversight will be transferred to the Roads and Highways Department (RHD).
The authorities have been instructed to submit an initial progress report within 15 days and continue providing monthly updates until the project is completed. RHD Chief Engineer Md Moniruzzaman confirmed that necessary steps are being taken in line with the government's decision.
The 20.5-kilometre BRT corridor project was initially approved in November 2012, with an estimated completion date of December 2016. However, delays and revisions have increased the cost from Taka 2,037.9 crore to Taka 4,268.32 crore. The project, financed by the Government of Bangladesh, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and Agence Française de Développement (AFD), reached 97 percent infrastructure completion by December 2024, but only 77.48 percent overall physical progress was achieved.
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) rejected a proposal in July 2025 to increase the project cost further and ordered an investigation into its design and feasibility. The government considered several future options for the project, ultimately deciding to convert it into a conventional highway.
A review by the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) recommended abandoning the BRT service due to design flaws. In October 2025, the interim government also decided against launching BRT services on the route, citing additional time and costs.
The Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) has criticized the move, warning that it could neglect public transport needs and prioritize private car use. The organization called for reconsideration, highlighting inconsistencies with existing transport plans for Gazipur and Dhaka.
After years of delays and challenges, the focus is now on optimizing infrastructure use, managing congestion, and maintaining public transport access to benefit the public.