Dhaka's Sayedabad Bus Terminal Relocates to Kanchpur; Navy to Build Infrastructure
Dhaka's Sayedabad inter-district bus terminal is set to be relocated to Kanchpur, Narayanganj. The infrastructure construction contract has been awarded to Chittagong Dry Dock Limited, an institution under the Bangladesh Navy. This relocation and construction will proceed through a direct procurement method, bypassing the tender process. The decision was finalized during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Finance and Planning Minister A. M. A. Khairul Kabir. Prime Minister Tareque Rahman has instructed the swift relocation of four major inter-city bus terminals outside the capital to alleviate traffic congestion and modernize the city's traffic system. The other terminals slated for relocation are Fulbaria-Gulistan, Gabtoli, and Mohakhali. Sayedabad terminal will move near the Kanchpur Bridge, Fulbaria-Gulistan to Keraniganj, Mohakhali temporarily to Purbachal and later to Tongi, and Gabtoli to Hemayetpur, Savar. Road Transport and Bridges Minister Habibur Rahman visited the Kanchpur site on June 24 and indicated that the terminal's operations would be completed within six months. The estimated cost for the terminal relocation is 68.8 million Taka, covering construction of sheds, ticket counters, toilets, and office spaces. The Dhaka South City Corporation has been directed to complete the necessary infrastructure and related works at Kanchpur within a few months. The project includes concreting a 4,012 square meter platform, installing tiles, constructing sheds with 15,573 kg of profile sheets, and building 120 ticket counters, 32 toilets, and office rooms. Progress on the other three terminals is also underway, with land being identified in Ashulia for Mohakhali and Keraniganj for Gulistan.
The relocation of major bus terminals from central Dhaka to peripheral areas like Kanchpur signifies a strategic effort to address urban congestion and modernize transportation infrastructure. The direct procurement method for the Kanchpur terminal construction, involving a naval institution, suggests a prioritization of speed and potentially national capacity utilization. While aiming for efficiency, such direct awards warrant scrutiny regarding market fairness and potential for cost optimization compared to competitive bidding. The initiative reflects a broader trend in megacities grappling with population growth and the need for integrated urban planning. Future success will depend on the seamless integration of these new terminals into regional transit networks and the effective management of the displaced urban spaces. The government's approach, involving consultations with local authorities and transport stakeholders, is crucial for ensuring smooth transitions and mitigating unintended consequences.
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