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The Institute for Planning and Development (IPD) has warned that Dhaka is being pushed into a “metro rail trap” because of excessive focus on costly metro projects, while other public transport options remain neglected.
Speaking at an online discussion on Friday, IPD Executive Director Prof Adil Muhammad Khan said excessive spending on metro rail was restricting other transport possibilities.
He said the revised Strategic Transport Plan had expanded the proposed metro network from three lines covering 60 km to six lines spanning more than 140 km.
The IPD said three new metro rail projects worth around Tk 2.5 lakh crore had recently been approved, while bus services, bus route rationalisation and bus rapid transit (BRT) had not received adequate attention. It also raised concerns about rising project costs and the growing pressure of foreign loans.
Transport planning expert Muntasir Mamun said metro rail currently accounts for only about 1% of trips in Dhaka.
Even if all planned metro projects are completed, he said, the system may carry only 10–15% of total trips, making an efficient bus network and other transport modes essential.
The IPD called for open international tendering, independent cost-benefit assessments and greater transparency in project contracts and revised budgets.
It also urged authorities to consider BRT, light rail, commuter trains, improved bus services, walking and cycling infrastructure before approving new expensive transport projects.
