Asian Development Bank (ADB) is contributing to the development of a sustainable urban transport system in Dhaka, through the delivery of a 20-kilometer bus rapid transit corridor.
Source: Asian Development Bank, Agence Française de Developpement, Global Environment Facility
Greater Dhaka is one of the fastest-growing megacities and one of the most densely populated cities in the world. Such high density in a city with limited inhabitable land, due mainly to the city's topography, limited infrastructure, and low level of public services results in tremendous congestion and constrains the urban transport system's ability to provide mobility for all people.

To ensure a sustainable future for Dhaka, public transport focused on people's mobility needs and accessibility needs to be improved and given priority over simple road projects. Project preparation studies indicate that out of six suburban corridors analyzed, the corridor connecting the emerging Gazipur City Corporation with Dhaka North City Corporation, from Gazipur to the international airport, has the best potential to organize urban development and support a mass transit infrastructure; and that bus-rapid-transit (BRT) is the most cost-effective mass transit mode for this corridor.

Asian Development Bank (ADB) is contributing to the development of a sustainable urban transport system in Dhaka, through the delivery of a 20-kilometer bus rapid transit corridor. This pilot project provides a holistic solution for integrated urban mobility, bearing a demonstration effect as no modern mass transit system exists in Bangladesh yet.

The project will support the government?s Sixth Five-Year Plan 2011-2015 and the country partnership strategy of ADB. It addresses (i) green growth, (ii) climate change mitigation, and (iii) inclusive social development. It will contribute to national priorities to make Dhaka more livable and safe, develop green infrastructures, boost private sector investment, and foster gender equity. The project complies with the Strategic Transport Plan for Dhaka and is also well aligned with ADB?s Sustainable Transport Initiative.