Government Approves Plan to Relocate Sayedabad Bus Terminal to Kanchpur to Ease Dhaka Traffic

The Bangladesh government has taken a policy decision to relocate the Sayedabad Inter-District Bus Terminal to Kanchpur in a significant move aimed at easing chronic traffic congestion in Dhaka and improving traffic management across the capital.

The proposal received approval during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs held at the Secretariat on Wednesday. The meeting was chaired by Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, according to officials familiar with the proceedings.

Government sources said the relocation is part of a wider strategy to reduce traffic bottlenecks at the major entry points to Dhaka while creating a more efficient and modern transport system. The initiative follows directives from the Prime Minister, who instructed authorities to shift the busy terminal outside the city's core to improve vehicle movement and reduce pressure on surrounding roads.

 

To ensure the project is completed within a short timeframe, the government has decided to implement the construction through the Direct Procurement Method (DPM). The work will be carried out by state-owned Chittagong Dry Dock Limited under the supervision of the Bangladesh Navy.
 

The estimated cost of the project has been set at Tk 68.8 million. The new terminal in Kanchpur will include a covered passenger shed, 120 ticket counters, 32 public toilets, concrete passenger platforms with tiled flooring, office facilities and other supporting infrastructure required for long-distance bus operations.
 

Officials said the Local Government Division has already instructed Dhaka South City Corporation to make the proposed terminal operational within the next four months. The accelerated timeline reflects the government's intention to address traffic congestion through urgent infrastructure improvements.
 

Transport planners believe relocating the terminal will significantly reduce the volume of long-distance buses entering the densely populated Sayedabad area, one of the busiest transport hubs in the capital. Heavy inter-district bus traffic has long contributed to congestion in eastern Dhaka, affecting commuters and freight movement alike.
 

Authorities expect the new terminal to improve traffic flow on key roads leading into the city while providing passengers with upgraded facilities and a more organised transport environment. The project also aligns with broader government efforts to decentralise transport infrastructure and develop alternative transit hubs outside the city's most congested zones.

Urban planning experts have frequently recommended relocating major bus terminals away from central Dhaka to minimise traffic conflicts between long-distance coaches and local vehicles. They say such measures can improve road efficiency, reduce travel times and support future transport expansion.

Officials involved in the project expressed confidence that once operational, the Kanchpur terminal will contribute to a more sustainable traffic management system and help create smoother connectivity between Dhaka and other parts of the country.

The relocation is expected to mark another step in the government's ongoing efforts to modernise transport infrastructure and address one of the capital's most persistent urban challenges.