The Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) has called on authorities to prioritise public transport, railways and waterways over private, fossil fuel-dependent vehicles, stressing that such a transition is crucial for ensuring long-term energy security and building a sustainable transport system in Bangladesh.
The recommendation was made at a press conference titled “Energy Security and Sustainable Transport and Communication,” held in the capital on Saturday.
Speaking at the event, BIP General Secretary Md Musleh Uddin Hasan said reducing reliance on private vehicles is essential to achieving energy security.
He highlighted that the power sector is the largest contributor to carbon emissions in the country, followed by the transport sector, making reforms in mobility planning increasingly urgent.
He also pointed out the inefficiency of motorised transport, noting that the materials used to build a single car could instead produce around 150 bicycles, underlining the potential of non-motorised transport options.
BIP President Muhammad Ariful Islam said the country’s growing dependence on road-based private transport has increased reliance on fossil fuels and imported energy.
He urged greater investment in renewable energy sources such as solar, hydropower and waste-to-energy solutions to support a more resilient system.
The planners proposed several measures, including the introduction of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), expansion of cycling infrastructure, and the creation of a national urban transport fund. They also recommended controlling the growth of motorcycles and private cars, while promoting electric buses and pedestrian-friendly urban planning.
BIP further suggested launching large-scale bicycle-sharing programmes in Dhaka and expanding them to other cities, alongside developing a comprehensive multimodal transport plan integrating road, rail and waterways.
The organisation also called for tax reforms to make public transport more affordable while discouraging private vehicle use. It recommended reducing taxes on buses and increasing them on cars and motorcycles.
Senior planner Syeda Monira Akhter Khatun noted that earlier transport studies had outlined sustainable directions, but lack of alignment in planning led to vulnerability during global oil shocks.
BIP said it is ready to support a newly formed parliamentary committee working on energy issues, adding that achieving energy security will require coordinated efforts in transport planning, infrastructure development and policy reform.
