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Since Bangladesh's independence in 1971, the transportation sector has grown rapidly and transportation medium on land and rivers have begun to develop. Air travel came into existence later. Though Bangladesh has greatly evolved in the transportation sector, it still has many flaws which hamper the development of other economic and social sectors. Transportation has evolved in mostly land vehicles but it still needs improvement in safety standards, which endangers the life of civilians.
With continued economic development, Dhaka (Bangladesh's capital) is beginning to experience severe traffic congestion. This is impacting the quality of life for inhabitants of the metropolitan area, the nation's largest. Many government and public-transport agencies drafted policies, undertook projects and implemented programmes to solve the problem. The Dhaka Integrated Transport Studies, conducted by the Ministry of Planning in 1991–1994, found that the uncoordinated activities of Dhaka City Corporation (DCC), Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) and the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) did not alleviate the problem and there was no one organisation responsible for improving the city's transport and traffic problems.
With financial assistance from the World Bank, the government of Bangladesh created the Dhaka Transport Coordination Board in 1998. An urban transport plan was commissioned with the US consultant Louis Berger Group and Bangladesh Consultant Ltd (BCL). Introduced in 2008, the comprehensive transport plan—called the Strategic Transport Plan (STP)—for the Greater Dhaka City and its adjoining areas (such as Tongi, Gazipur, Savar, Narayanganj, Keraniganj, Narshingdi and Manikganj) covered around 1,530 square miles (4,000 km2). The plan looked at 15 key policy issues, including safety, pedestrian preferences, public transport, non-motorised transport, travel demand management and mass transit systems, and almost 70 policy recommendations were made. Ten comprehensive transport strategies were evaluated, using a baseline of no bus rapid transit (BRT) or metro service, and a number of alternatives were explored. [1][ failed verification] The adopted plan included roads, a three-line metro network (MRT) and three-line BRT. It included provisions for 54 new roads in and around the city, three part-elevated expressways and a circular waterway programme. [2]: 9 The previous transportation plan was replaced by the Revised Strategic Transport Plan (RSTP) sanctioned in 2016, which modified the metro network to include five lines and reduced the BRT to two. Additionally, the plan outlined the construction of expressways, including elevated ones, as well as the development of ring roads and radial roads. [3]
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated Bangladesh's highest road, Thanchi-Alikadam Road in Bandarban District, in a 2015 video conference from Dhaka. Construction of the road, which is 2,500 feet (760 m) above sea level, was built under army supervision at a cost of ৳1.17 billion (roughly US$10.8m) and is aiding development, education and health in the hill tracts.
Bangladesh moves up in World Bank logistics index. Bangladesh's rank in the index of countries rose to 88 from 100 in 2018. [4]
With more than 250,000 vehicles in Bangladesh and the country's population and infrastructure, traffic congestion wastes fuel and time and makes travel difficult. It also makes existing public transport inefficient, adding unsafe levels of noise and air pollution. Noise and pollution are stressful, and lead to medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease and hypertension.
Traffic congestion varies during the day, necessitating planning and longer trips; this impacts productivity, cutting across social and economic status. Although walking is a major travel mode of the low-income majority, pedestrian needs are ignored in transport planning. As a result of traffic congestion, more people walk and bicycle; however, both may be dangerous. Almost 80 percent of traffic fatalities in Dhaka are pedestrians struck by a fuel-based vehicle. [5][ failed verification] Although private cars are four percent of total vehicles, they occupy about 70 percent of road space. Public transport must be stressed in any future policy. The change to compressed natural gas (CNG) cars saved over 4,000 premature deaths in 2009, but their low cost has increased the number of cars on the roads (although CNG price increases may have tempered the increase) and decreased the amount of natural gas available for other purposes. [2]: 234
Passenger's and pedestrian's safety in the roads is currently a burning issue in Bangladesh. Death counts in the highways are rising every day in an alarming rate. Although the government is undertaking a number of significant steps addressing the issue, situations in the highways don't seem to get much positive change too soon. [6] Public unrest and riots demanding safe roads tend to occur in quite an unpredictable manner as both the authority and the highway section of the police prove to fail in bringing discipline in the road transportation system. [7] [8] [9] Alternative ways of mass transit system in public basis have been taken and lots are still undergoing, but the source of all problems is said to lie with untrained drivers and inadequate maintenance of the highways. [10]
The national rail infrastructure is primarily passenger-focused, [11] managed by the state-owned Bangladesh Railway (BR), which was largely inherited from the British Assam Bengal Railway system after the partition of India in 1947. [12] There are about 500 railway stations, [13] with Dhaka Kamalapur being the largest and busiest. [14] In 2023, Bangladesh Railway operated 402 trains daily, [15] and 40 were operated by private companies (as of 2022 [update]), [16] a practice permitted since the early 2000s. [17] New legislation drafted in 2024 as a successor to a centuries-old law includes provisions allowing private companies to own rolling stock for carrying passengers, goods, and parcels. [18]
Bangladesh Railway has approximately 3,100 kilometres (1,900 mi) of main and branch lines (route km) linking 43 of the 64 districts. [13] [19] Of these, the majority, covering 1,680 km (1,040 mi), are metre-gauge tracks, mainly in the central and eastern regions. About 880 km (550 mi) are 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad-gauge tracks, concentrated in the western region. The gauge difference is being addressed by adding third rails to major routes, making them dual gauge, with a total of about 533 km (331 mi) converted. [13] Since independence in 1971, few new tracks were laid until the early 20s, when four additional districts were connected. [19]
In 2020, 64 million passengers travelled by rail in Bangladesh, accumulating nearly 10 billion passenger-kilometres. [13] Despite the railway's emphasis on intercity services, [20] which earned the majority of revenue, almost half of these passengers were on local routes. [13] More than three million tonnes of cargo were transported, totalling over one billion tonne-kilometres, [13] handled by two inland container depots (dry ports): one at Kamalapur, Dhaka, and the other at Pangaon, which is connected to Chittagong port. [21] Despite its importance, the railway system faces several challenges—including operating over capacity, ageing and scarcity of rolling stock, poor track conditions, and a lack of manpower—due to which Bangladesh Railway incurs huge losses. [22] [20]
About 93 million passengers used railways in 2019, while the figure was 73 million in 1970. [13]
As of 2024 [update], the country has only one metro line, located in Dhaka, which opened in December 2022. The Dhaka Metro Rail is operated by the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited, with additional lines under construction. [23]
The Hardinge Bridge, opened in 1915, connected the south-western railways to the north-western regions divided by the Padma River. [24] The Bhairab Railway Bridge (also Bangladesh–UK Friendship Bridge), opened in 1937, facilitates communication between Dhaka and Chittagong over the Meghna River. [12] The combined Bangabandhu Bridge, opened in 1998, connects the eastern and western rail networks, which were previously separated by the Jamuna River. [25] A dedicated rail bridge beside it is planned to be opened by August 2024 to meet growing traffic demands. [26]
Railway penetration has been relatively low in the riverine south-western regions of the Ganges Delta, particularly from the capital and the north-east, due to the Padma River acting as a barrier. [27] The crucial Padma Bridge Rail Link Project, scheduled for completion by mid-2024, aims to address this issue. [28]
The border between India and Bangladesh cuts across railway lines, forcing them into the adjacent country for short distances and complicating border controls such as passport validation. After 43 years, the Maitree Express renewed rail transport between Bangladesh and Kolkata of India in 2008. [29] A second rail service, the Bandhan Express, connecting Kolkata and Khulna, began in 2017. [30] A third service, the Mitali Express, from Siliguri to Dhaka, started in June 2022. [31]
Bangladesh is part of the Trans–Asian railway network. As part of the project, it planned to extend the railway from Chittagong to Cox's Bazar, with the eventual goal of connecting to Myanmar. However, as of 2022, the plan was to end the track at Cox's Bazar due to deteriorating bilateral relations. [32] [33]
Air travel in Bangladesh peaked at over 17 million passengers in 2023. [34] The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, which manages and regulates civil aviation activities in the country, [35] reported that the number of outbound travellers from Bangladesh in 2022 was 4.2 million, marking a 124 per cent year-on-year increase. This surge was primarily attributed to migrant workers and pilgrimage. Conversely, 3.5 million travellers arrived in Bangladesh during the same period. [36]
Of the three international airports in Bangladesh, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka is the largest and busiest, [37] handling 11.6 million passengers in 2023, which included 52 per cent of domestic and international flights. [34] That year, it served 9.4 million international passengers, [34] with 33 international airlines operating about 160 daily flights. [38] Additionally, it handled 2.2 million domestic passengers [34] with four private airlines [39] and one national airline conducting 170 daily domestic flights. [38] Originally built to handle eight million annual passengers, its capacity is expected to more than double to 20 million once the modern third terminal opens fully in October 2024. [40]
Chittagong's Shah Amanat International Airport ranks second, handling 17 percent of passengers. [34] As of 2022, six foreign and two domestic airlines operates flights from Shah Amanat, primarily to destinations in the Middle East. The airport, undergoing significant expansions and renovations, has reported a 20 per cent increase in annual revenue. [41] Osmani International Airport in Sylhet is the third, having seen its first international flight in 2017, [42] and is also undergoing major expansions as of 2023. [43]
In addition to the international airports, there are five operational airports handling domestic-only flights: Barisal, Cox's Bazar, Jessore, Shah Makhdum ( Rajshahi), and Saidpur ( Nilphamari). Nearly all services at these airports are to or from Dhaka. [44]
Domestic air travel has been in decline as better and faster road and rail travel develops. The opening of the Padma Bridge in 2022 has particularly impacted air traffic to south-western airports like Jessore and Barisal. Cox’s Bazar, a destination that accounts for the bulk of domestic airline revenue, has also seen a decline in air passengers due to a new railway link opened in 2023. [45] [46] Despite this, the government has undertaken projects worth ৳350 billion (US$3.3 billion) to modernise all airports by 2023. [47] Cox's Bazar airport is being upgraded to international status as of 2024, which includes extending its runway to become the longest in the country. [48] Saidpur airport is being turned into a regional hub to facilitate flights from neighbouring countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, and north-east India, [49] [50] while Khan Jahan Ali Airport in Khulna is still under construction, as of 2023. [46]
Approximately 285,000 tonnes of cargo were transported by air in 2023, with over 30 airlines operating cargo flights to and from the country. About 96 per cent of the total air freight was processed through Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, [51] which handles a daily average of 400 to 500 tonnes of cargo. [52]
Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the country's national airline, served eight domestic destinations and 22 international destinations in 16 countries, in 2023. [53] The airline, founded in 1972, has its hub at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. [54]
Other Bangladeshi-registered passenger airlines include US-Bangla Airlines, Novoair, Air Astra, and Fly Dhaka. All these carriers have their hub at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and operate domestic flights. Except for Air Astra and Fly Dhaka, the aforementioned airlines also offer international flights. As of 2024, Fly Dhaka Airlines marks the 12th private airline to join Bangladesh's aviation sector since the 2000s. However, this period has also witnessed the closure of at least eight private airlines, the most recent being Regent Airways in 2022, primarily due to financial difficulties. [55]
Foreign airlines dominate about 75 per cent of the international route market, with the remaining 25 per cent held by Biman and US-Bangla Airlines. Additionally, more than 80 per cent of the domestic market is controlled by US-Bangla Airlines and Air Astra, both owned by US-Bangla Group. Biman holds less than 20 per cent of the domestic market share, while Novoair covers the rest. [53]
Dedicated cargo airlines of Bangladesh include Bismillah Airlines, Easy Fly Express, SkyAir, Hello Airlines and NXT Air. [56]
There are approximately 3,600–6,000 kilometres (2,200–3,700 mi) of navigable waterways depending on the season, [57] [58] including up to 3,060 kilometres (1,900 mi) of major cargo routes. [59] In 2009, it was reported that 20 million tonnes of freight and 90 million passengers utilised inland waterways for transportation annually. However, this number has been in decline, [60] particularly following the opening of the Padma Bridge in 2022, which significantly reduced travel time between south-western Bangladesh and the capital, Dhaka, by road and rail. [61] The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) is responsible for the development, maintenance, and regulation of inland water transport and navigable waterways in Bangladesh. [60]
The country's extensive river network makes ferries a practical and affordable mode of transport. Passenger ferries, locally referred to as "launches," are widely used to travel to the southern and south-western regions of Bangladesh from the capital. [62] [63] [64] The most popular destinations include Barisal, Bhola, Patuakhali, and Khulna. Additionally, there are water-transport routes connecting Dhaka with Kolkata in India. [65]
Approximately 200 launches operate across 107 water routes throughout the country as of 2022 [update]. [66] To support the launch services, the BIWTA has developed 292 wharfs ( ghats) for the docking of these vessels, [57] and oversees 380 launch terminals. [60]
There are 53 roll-on/roll-off ferries running on seven routes across the country: Paturia–Daulatdia, Aricha–Kazirhat, Shimulia–Banglabazar, Bhola–Lakshmipur, Lajarhat–Veduria, Char Kalipur–Kalipur Bazar and Harinaghat Chandpur–Shariatpur. [67]
More than 800,000 [60] small and medium wooden sailboats and rowboats, often retrofitted to be motorised, [68] are an important means of transportation for people and goods across the country, especially during the rainy season. [69] [68] These boats transport over 1.2 million tonnes of freight annually. [60] Among these are the dingi, which is the oldest form of Bengal boat. Larger cargo boats includes vessels such as the balam, bajra and sampan. Under the category of bainkata (flat-bottomed) boats are the ghasi, gachari, dorakha, kathami, mallar, patam and panshi, among others. Ubiquitous throughout Bangladesh, especially in monsoon flood-prone regions, is the kosha, a small, highly manoeuvrable boat that is easy to operate. These various traditional wooden boats play a vital role in providing transportation during the rainy season when other modes become impractical due to flooding. [69]
The ferries are often overloaded and continue to operate in poor weather; many people die each year in ferry and launch accidents. From 2005 to 2015, nearly 1,800 casualties have been reported due to river transport incidents, a number which may be higher due to the prevalence of unregistered vessels. [58] In 2014, the launch Pinak 6 sank in the Padma River with more than 200 passengers aboard near Munshiganj's Louhajang Upazila. [70]
As of 2023 [update], the country's merchant navy consisted of 558 ships, including 68 bulk carriers, 10 container ships, 170 cargo ships and 162 oil tankers. [59] The Bangladesh Shipping Corporation, a state-owned entity overseeing the management of ocean-going vessels, has seven ships in its fleet, including tanker ships dedicated to transporting oil for Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation and five ships operating on a charter basis for carrying oil, chemicals, and other products. [71]
Bangladesh has 22 major river ports used for loading and unloading passengers and goods, as well as for landing motorised marine vessels. These include:
Dhaka, Narayanganj, Barisal, Chandpur, Khulna, Baghabari, Patuakhali, Narsingdi, Aricha, Nagarbari, Daulatdia, Tongi, Maoa, Char Jannat, Ashugonj (Bhairab Bazar), Bhola, Barguna, Noapara, Munshiganj, Chatak, Meghnaghat and Cox's Bazar. [72]
In addition to these major ports, there are 448 small to medium-sized ports throughout the country. [72]
Chittagong is the busiest sea port in Bangladesh, handling 92 per cent of the country's international cargo, followed by Mongla [73] and Payra. [74] The Matarbari Port, under construction, will be the first deep-sea port capable of accommodating large ships by 2026. [75]
In 2013, Bangladesh had about 2,950 kilometres (1,830 mi) of natural gas pipelines. [59] In 2023, the first cross-border pipeline to import petroleum products from India was inaugurated, totalling 131.57 kilometres (81.75 mi) in length. [76] In the same year, the first under-sea pipeline to transport crude oil and diesel from a deep-sea mooring, spanning 110 kilometres (68 mi), was commissioned. [77]
...passenger ferries (locally called as "launch")...
This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook. CIA.