Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed the launch of dedicated electric buses for women in Dhaka within the next six months to ensure safe and accessible travel for female commuters.
The announcement came on Monday after a meeting at the Secretariat with Prof Dr M Shamsul Haque, transport expert and faculty member of the Civil Engineering Department at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).
The discussion lasted nearly two hours and focused on developing a public-friendly transport system and modernising the capital’s connectivity.
Haque said “Prime Minister was deeply concerned that women currently face unsafe conditions in public transport. The new electric buses will be driven exclusively by female drivers, highlighting the government’s commitment to women’s safety and empowerment.”
The meeting also explored other transport solutions. While metro rail remains the most effective option for mass transit, the Tarique discussed introducing monorail services in areas where bus coverage is limited.
The use of electric vehicles was emphasised as a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable solution capable of serving a larger number of commuters. Plans for future high-speed rail services were also considered, aimed at improving intercity connectivity and easing Dhaka’s chronic traffic congestion.
In a separate session on Monday morning, Tarique Rahman met with traffic and urban planning experts to review strategies to alleviate congestion in the capital.
according to Additional Press Secretary Atiqur Rahman Rumon, Tarique instructed experts to expedite their work on revamping Dhaka’s traffic management system to ensure smoother mobility.
Additional discussions included the renovation and development of key landmarks such as the mausoleums of Shaheed president Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, where the Prime Minister consulted architects for their recommendations.
Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher Sumon and Liberation War Affairs Minister Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram also met separately with the Tarique, accompanied by their state ministers, to provide updates on their respective projects.
The Prime Minister arrived at the Secretariat from his Gulshan residence at 9:13am on Monday, continuing his routine presence at the office following his schedule on Sunday.
