# PM Tarique Rahman  Prioritises Footpaths, Electric Buses, and Monorail to Ease Dhaka Traffic

> Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called for rationalising metro rail costs in Dhaka while prioritising pedestrian-friendly and low-emission transport. He proposed widening footpaths, introducing electric buses with inc…

Published: 2026-03-03 · Desk: Latest · Source: The Business Standard

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said his government will focus on pedestrian-friendly and low-emission transport in Dhaka, aiming to widen footpaths, introduce electric buses and develop monorail systems in densely populated areas.

At a meeting with transport expert Prof Shamsul Hoque at the Secretariat, the prime minister emphasised the need to bring metro rail project costs down to a rational level to ensure proper use of public funds. Hoque later told TBS that Tarique cited London’s transport model — including lower speed limits, narrower lanes, road pricing and limited parking — as measures that encourage walking and public transport use.

Electrification of buses was a key topic. According to Hoque, the prime minister said future bus procurements would prioritise electric vehicles, with incentives offered to speed up the transition. He also noted that current vehicle registration fees are not supportive of EV adoption and suggested reduced fees or direct incentives for owners switching from combustion-engine vehicles.

Tarique underscored the need for monorail systems in neighbourhoods where heavy metro infrastructure is difficult to implement. Hoque said monorails, widely used in countries such as Japan and China, operate efficiently in dense urban areas using pneumatic wheels that minimise vibration and noise. He added that metro rail alone cannot resolve Dhaka’s transport challenges and called for an integrated ecosystem combining MRT, LRT, monorail, BRT and franchised bus services.

The prime minister instructed that ongoing metro projects should proceed but at revised and rationalised costs. He warned against accepting abnormally high bids and said such proposals should be re-tendered under competitive processes. Data from Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited show significant cost escalations in recent bids, prompting a review of major procurement packages.

Tarique also highlighted the importance of decentralising Dhaka and improving rail connectivity with surrounding districts, noting that flyovers alone cannot ease congestion. He stressed that mass transport must serve as the backbone of the city’s mobility system.

Beyond traditional government-to-government funding, alternative financing options are being explored. The prime minister also expressed interest in redeveloping the Buriganga riverfront through block-based redevelopment, allowing for roads, community facilities and modern amenities under equity-sharing high-rise projects.

Additionally, Tarique directed authorities to introduce a women-only electric bus service in Dhaka within 180 days to enhance safety and comfort for female passengers. He instructed the road transport minister to implement the dedicated service and also directed the housing and public works minister to complete renovation work at former president Ziaur Rahman’s grave in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar before Eid-ul-Fitr.

Original reporting: https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/pm-tarique-prioritises-footpaths-electric-buses-monorail-dhaka-1375586
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