The government of Bangladesh has announced plans to relocate four major inter-district bus terminals from Dhaka as part of efforts to improve traffic management and modernise transport infrastructure in and around the capital.
Road Transport Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam disclosed the plan on Thursday while speaking at a programme held at the Secretariat Media Centre.
According to the minister, the relocation process involving Gabtoli, Mohakhali, Sayedabad and Fulbaria bus terminals is expected to be completed within the next two and a half years.
Explaining the rationale behind the move, Rabiul Alam said the existing terminals are no longer functioning solely as passenger transport hubs. Instead, many buses remain parked there for extended periods and use the facilities for maintenance and repair work.
He noted that buses often stay inside terminal premises for days at a time for activities such as painting, body repairs, dent removal, engine servicing and other workshop-related tasks. As a result, the terminals have increasingly taken on the role of repair centres rather than efficient transport facilities.
To address the issue, the government has planned the construction of dedicated depots and new transport hubs outside the city. One depot will be established along the 300 Feet Road corridor, while another is already being developed in Kanchpur.
The minister said the Kanchpur facility will eventually operate as a full-fledged terminal, allowing the gradual relocation of Sayedabad Bus Terminal. Fulbaria Terminal will be transferred to Keraniganj, in the area opposite the central jail, while Gabtoli Terminal will be shifted to Hemayetpur.
The relocation initiative is expected to reduce congestion within Dhaka and create a more organised system for inter-district bus operations. Authorities believe the new facilities will provide better infrastructure for both passengers and transport operators while freeing up valuable urban space currently occupied by large numbers of parked buses.
The government plans to implement the project in phases over the next 30 months as part of broader efforts to modernise the country's road transport network.
