The Institute for Planning and Development (IPD) has warned that the government’s plan to relocate Dhaka’s four inter-district bus terminals—Sayedabad, Mohakhali, Gabtoli, and Fulbaria—to the city’s outskirts could increase public suffering and safety risks. The government intends to move the terminals to Kanchpur, Hemayetpur, Tongi, and Keraniganj to ease traffic congestion in the capital.

According to IPD, shifting the terminals without ensuring adequate public transport connections and effective planning will not solve Dhaka’s traffic problems. Instead, it could raise travel costs, extend commuting times, and heighten security concerns, especially for women, children, and the elderly. The organization noted that the proposed sites are 15–20 kilometers from central Dhaka and lack reliable, affordable transport links.

IPD urged the government to cancel the relocation plan, improve management around existing terminals, and develop new depots in extended urban areas. It also recommended introducing quality feeder services, implementing the bus route rationalization project, and ensuring passenger safety through integrated terminal management.