1.

Introduction:
Transport in Bangladesh is an important part of the nation's economy. Since the liberation of the
country, the development of infrastructure within the country has progressed at a rapid pace, and
today there is a wide variety of modes of transport by land, water and air. However, there is
significant progress still to be made to ensure uniform access to all available transport.

1.1: Road and Transportation History in Bangladesh:

The Roads and Highways Department (RHD) was created in 1962 when the old 'Construction &
Building (C&B) organisation was split into 2 separate bodies. RHD is responsible for the
construction and the maintenance of the major road and bridge network of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) is the state-owned transport corporation of
Bangladesh . It was established under the Government Ordinance No.7 of 1961 dated 4 February
1961. Following the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, it assumed its current name. BRTC is
a semi-autonomous corporation under the Ministry of Communication. The governing body
includes the Communication Minister, the Communication Secretary, the Director of the
corporation, and other officials. BRTC provides both passenger and cargo transport services.
BRTC operates three international bus lines (Dhaka to Kolkata, Agartala, and Siliguri in India).
Inside Bangladesh, it BRTC provides both passenger and cargo transport services which operates
inter-district bus services through its bus depots in Chittagong, Bogra, Comilla, Pabna, Rangpur,
Barisal, and Sylhet. It also operates intra-city bus services in many major cities of the country.

With financial assistance from the World Bank, in 1998, Bangladesh Government created the
Transport Coordination Board. An urban transport plan was commissioned with the US
Consulting Group Louis Berger and Bangladesh Consultant Ltd (BCL). The plan, launched in
2008, laid out a comprehensive transport plan for the Greater Dhaka City and its adjoining areas,
such as Tongi, Gazipur, Savar, Narayanganj, Keraniganj, Narshingdi and Manikganj, covering
around 1530 square miles. The plan looked at 15 Key Policy issues including safety, pedestrian
preferences, public transport, non-motorized transport, travel demand management, mass transit
systems, etc. Almost 70 different policy recommendations were produced under these 15 issue
areas. 10 comprehensive transportation strategies were then evaluated, using a base case of no
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) or metro service and exploring many alternative combinations. Finally
the adopted plan included roads in addition to using a 3 Line Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and the
3 Line BRT. Furthermore, the plan included provisions for 54 new roads in and around the city,
3 part elevated expressways and a circular waterways programme.

1.2:Railway History of Bangladesh:

Railway acts as an important method of mass transport in Bangladesh. Many districts of the
country are connected via railroads. Bangladesh Railway was mostly inherited from the Britishestablished Assam Bengal railway system after the partition of India in 1947. Bangladesh
Railway's headquarters are located in the southern port city of Chittagong, which had historically
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been the south-eastern terminus of the Assam-Bengal Railway. After independence from West
Pakistan in 1971, only a small length of new tracks were laid out.

1.3: Roads Length by Classification:

National highway
Regional highway
Zilla road
Total length

3544.06Km
4278.07Km
13659.13Km
21481.25Km

Fig:1.3.1- Dhaka Bogra Highway

1.4: Some Major Highways:

Highway Name
Dhaka-Chittagong
Dhaka-Sylhet
Dhaka-Panchaghar
Daulatdia-Khulna
Kashinathpur-Rajshahi

Length
455 km
286 km
507Km
252Km
150Km

1.5: Culverts & Bridges:

Bridge
Culvert

7741
13751

1.6: Major Bridges In Bangladesh:

Name
Jamuna bridge
Lalon Shah bridge
Meghna bridge
Bhairab bridge
Shah Amanat bridge

Road Name
Dhaka-Bogra
Ishwardi-Kustia
Dhaka-Chittagong
Dhaka-Sylhet
Chittagong-Coxs bazar

Length(m)
4800
1786
1360
1194
914

1.7:Railroads and bridges:

As of 2005, the total length of railroad is 2,706 kilometres (1,681 mi). Of that, 923 km (574 mi)
are broad gauge (1676mm) tracks (mostly in the western region), and the remaining 1,822 km
(1,132 mi) are meter gauge tracks (mostly in the central and eastern regions). The gauge problem
is being addressed by adding third rails to the most important broad and meter gauge routes, so
that they become dual gauge.
A major road-rail bridge over Jamuna River opened in 1998 to connect the previously isolated
east and west rail networks.
The border between India and Bangladesh cuts across rail lines, forcing them into the other
country for short distances.

Railways:
total: 2,745 km
broad gauge: 923 km 1.676-m gauge
narrow gauge: 1,822 km 1.000-m gauge (1998 est.)

1.8: Motorized vehicles and others:

Access to an all-season road is 39% of all roads . Within 2 kilometers (an estimated 20-minute
walk) of a road that can be traveled by the prevailing means of transport all year round . Total
Number of Motor Vehicles Based on Bangladesh HIES 2000; World Bank staffs calculation is
852,476 . Data show the percentage of the rural population in Bangladesh lives within 2 km of a
bus station. The percentage of rural population lives within 20 minutes walk to a bus station is
40%.
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2. Present status of Roads & Highways:

The present scenario of roads and highways is not up to the mark. The condition of the modern
infrastucture is given below:

2.1 :Condition of Roads:

Condition of roads in Bangladesh differs season to season .While They are muddy and shavy in
dry seasons, they are full of hollows and trenches in rainy season as the roads construction are
not free of defects.

Fig:2.1.1-Roads in rainy seasons

Crumbling roads and highways across the country are causing immense sufferings to common
people, said experts. There seems to be none to tackle road repair woes, they said.
BUET civil engineering department professor Mohammad Shamsul Hoque blamed RHDs
negligence and lengthy tender process for the pothole ridden roads and highways. Overloading is
of course a contributing factor behind the poor condition of the roads that were poorly
constructed in the first place, he said. Many roads and highways await repair since 2012-13
fiscal, particularly 81 per cent of roads in Barisal, 76 per cent in Khulna, 68 per cent in
Gopalganj, 66 per cent in Rangpur and 61 per cent in Dhaka, according to the RHD.
Reports from outlying districts say that many roads are in poor condition and the government
could not yet start the repair work though the monsoon is fast approaching.

The RHD, responsible for maintenance of 21,000 kilometres of highways and roads across the
country, could repair no more than 8,623 kilometres in the last fiscal. Besides, out of 3,01,368
kilometres of local roads in upazilas, unions and rural areas, 15,500 kilometres of metalled roads
need maintenance by Local Government Engineering Department. But for about 84,600
kilometres of local metalled roads maintained by the LGED, the rest became dirt tracks.

2.2: Flyover: Modern infrastructure for road development

An overpass (called a flyover in the United Kingdom and most Commonwealth countries) is a
bridge, road, railway or similar structure that crosses over another road or railway. An overpass
and underpass together form a grade separation.
In Bangladesh overpasses are actually called flyovers. Though many developed countries have
applied this approach to improve road condition, way way ago, in Bangladesh the government
has taken this possible solution to reach in good situation.
There are now a few flyovers in Dhaka City. They are:
Mohakhali Flyover
Khilgaon flyover
Kuril Flyover
Jatrabari-Gulistan Flyover
Zillur Rahman Flyover
And many other flyovers are under construction. They are helping to ease the problem and make
the life of people as easier as possible. Flyover has made things easier for people in Bangladesh.
Thus this kind of project is a great relief for us.
Flyovers are helping a lot in our day to day lives. Because of flyovers our life has been
simplified a lot. There are a few flyovers in Dhaka city. They are :

Khilgaon Flyover :
KhilgaonFlyover is the second flyover bridge of Bangladesh history. Khilgaon Flyover is next to
Kamalapur. Khilgaon Flyover has a length of 1.9 kilometers. But it is split in separated ways.
The prime minister, Khaleda Zia. opened the 1.9kilometre flyover, by unveiling a plaque in a
ceremony on the flyover at the joining its three wings, connecting Khilgaon with Rajarbagh in
the south, Malibagh in the west and Sayedabad in the east.

Mohakhali Flyover :
Mohakhali is one of the busiest places in Dhaka,Bangladesh. Many important offices and
institutions are based in mohakhali.Mohakhali Bus terminal is one of the most important
terminals of Dhaka city.Every day thousands of people, particularly from greater Mymensingh
region, travel by this bus terminal.The flyover has a total length of 1.12 Km with a total 19 nos.
of span of prestressed segmental box girder profile.

Fig:2.2.1- Jatrabari-Gulistan Flyover

Fig:2.2.2- Kuril Flyover

Kuril Flyover :
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the much talked about 3.1 kilometre Kuril flyover in
the capital. It comprises four sections providing uninterrupted connection among HazratShahjalal
International Airport, Nikunja, Banani, Rampura and Purbachal areas.

Jatrabari-Gulistan Flyover :
The flyover connects Dhaka-Chittagong, Dhaka-Mawa and the Dhaka-Demrahighways, and the
different link roads of Jatrabari and Gulistan areas, to ease traffic congestion in the southern part
of the city. It would also connect the capital with five divisionsDhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet,
Khulna and Barisal. This flyover costs a high amount of 2108 crore tk.

2.3: Upcoming projects:

Here are some upcoming projects of roads & transportation in Bangladesh.

2.3.1: Dhaka - Chittagong Access Controlled Expressway Project

Dhaka and Chittagong are the two major metropolitan areas of Bangladesh. Dhaka, the capital of
Bangladesh, is the main commercial and administrative centre of the country and Chittagong, the
main seaport, accounts for over 90% of the countrys import and export. Around 25% of the
population of Bangladesh lives within the Dhaka Chittagong corridor.
Currently road communication between the two major cities is served by the 231km 2 lane
Dhaka Chittagong National Highway (N1), which can be considered to be the most important
highway and the lifeline of commerce in Bangladesh. It is also part of the Trans-Asian Highway
network. However, the road traffic on this route is severely hampered because of the lack of
capacity of the existing highway and the load restrictions of bridges; with journeys taking around
10 hours due to the congestion of the road. The road also suffers from poor road safety records
6

because of the lack of segregation between local and national traffic and between motorized and
non-motorized traffic.
The Government of Bangladesh has prioritized the improvement of road communications
between Dhaka and Chittagong as part of the countrys sixth five year plan (2011-2015) and has
initiated the Dhaka-Chittagong Access Controlled Expressway project as a key component of its
overall development program.

Objective: To enhance and ensure safer and more reliable road communications between
Dhaka and Chittagong.

Fig:2.3.1.1- Dhaka Chittagong Highway

2.3.2:Padma bridge:
The Padma Bridge is a multipurpose road-rail bridge across the Padma River to be constructed
in Bangladesh. When completed it will be the largest bridge in Bangladesh and the first fixed
river crossing for road traffic.
It will connect Louhajong, Munshiganj to Shariatpurand Madaripur, linking the south-west of
the country, to northern and eastern regions. The project covers three districts Munshiganj
(Mawa Point/North bank), Shariatpur and Madaripur (Janjira/South bank). The total area of land
to be acquired and required for its components is 918 hectares. The requisition of land for the
construction yard will be for six years on a rental basis. As per the new design, an additional
144.04 ha has been identified for acquisition, bringing the total to 1062.14 hectares. This
additional land is required because project site lost significant land due to erosion, for transition
structures and due to a change in railway alignment. The two-level steel truss bridge will carry a
four-lane highway on the upper level and a single track railway on a lower level.

Fig:2.3.2.1- Padma Bridge

The project will include 6.15 km long and 18.10 m wide bridge,[1] 15.1 km of approach roads,
toll plazas and service areas.
Padma multi-purpose bridge project after the Bangladesh government accepts Malaysia's
technical and financial proposals on the project. On 16 July, China Railway Engineering
Corporation has proposed Government of Bangladesh with a better offer than World Bank to
build the Padma bridge about no interest and 3 years work time feature.

3. Consequences of Poor Engineering In Roads And

Transportation In Bangladesh:
Due to poor engineering, So many problems are arising and we have to face those problems
every single day. Some of the most prominent problems are discussed below:

3.1:Trafic Jam:
Traffic jam is a common phenomenon in our country especially in Dhaka city, one of the mega
cities in the world. It is not a problem now-a-days rather it is more than a problem because
problem has some solutions that traffic jam has not. Time is the most valuable things in the
twenty first centaury no doubt. And traffic jam is killing the most productive time of the people
of Dhaka city. One of the major reasons why traffic jam is occuring in almost every big cities in
bangladesh is inadequite and poor engineering knowledge and its application.
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Dhaka City has very insufficient

road networks. For a standard city, where the minimum road
requirement is 25%, Dhaka has only 7.5% road of its total area. 30% of this 7.5% road is alsooccupied by the hawkers, salesman and shopkeepers.A significant portion is occupied by
constructional materials and waste-containers of the City Corporation. As a result, the vehicles
do not get the required space to move resulting in traffic jam. If we look around we will find that
our railway communication is also not free from poor engineering. Everyday we are
experiencing movement of 74 trains to and from Dhaka. On an average, it takes minutes to get
the clearance for each crossing. Thus in one crossing, everyday the vehicles stops for five or six
hours that is really difficult to offset. Limited parking arrangement is another major cause of
excessive traffic in Dhaka City. It has become a regular practice to park the car on road. Even
during rush hours, people are seen loading and unloading their vehicles on a busy road. City
transports also stop here and there without any valid reason. No traffic rules are being followed
these days.
.

Fig: 3.1.1- Traffic in Chittagong

Fig: 3.1.2- Traffic Jam In Dhaka

3.2. Defects In Flyovers And Bridges:

Bangladesh is a developing country. Bangladesh earned more remittance from garment sector.
So there have must need to fulfill his road ways communication. In 2011 Bangladesh
government started his first Flyover in December. Mohakhali flyover is the Bangladeshi first
flyover. Recently Bangladesh government buildup many flyovers in few years. Then, Khilgaon
flyover, Purbachal-Kuril flyover, Jatrabari Gulistan flyover, Mirpur-Banani flyovers are the
truimps in road and transportation system in dhaka in Bangladesh. But it is a matter of great
sorrow, that many of these flyovers are not built in a proper way. Cracks have been found in
Mohakhali flyover and Khilgaon flyover. Moreover, according to the daily Star, The Mohakhali
flyover remains vulnerable to earthquakes as all its shock transmission units (STU) have not
been installed yet. In case of a severe tremor, the 1.12 km long and 17.9 meter wide Mohakhali
flyover might not be able to withstand the shock as it lacks enough STUs. Experts said that STUs
9

were necessary not only for flyovers to survive from earthquakes but also to reduce the effects of
pressure from heavy vehicles on the structure. Sources in Dhaka Urban transport Coordination
Board (DTCB) had earlier told Star City that at least 54 STUs were necessary for the flyover, but
that number was later reduced to 42 apparently because of budget constraint.
The Bahaddarhat flyover was also a project with poor engineering. At evening, 7:30 pm, 24 Nov
2012, The girders collapsed down. A huge sound was created due to falling down of the girders.
Panic ensued in the people who were around the place. People started running towards the place.
They came forward to help the endangered people. This tragic incident took away about 17 lives.
The girders fell on those people and knocked down all of them. So many dead bodies were found
unidentified. About 50 people were injured. Many people turned lame. The whole nation was
struck at that terrible moment.

Fig: 3.2.1-Mohakhali flyover

Fig: 3.2.2-Bohoddarhat Flyover

Fig: 3.2.3- Zomuna bridge

The Bangabandhu Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge (BJMB) within 11 years of its construction has
turned vulnerable for alleged defects in its design and construction. A Korean construction firm
named Hyundai Engineering and Construction Company constructed the 4.08-km long, 18.05
metre wide bridge with double lane and a railway.

3.3: Frequent Occurance of Accidents:

There has been an alarming rise in road accidents, significantly highway accidents, in
Bangladesh over the past few years. According to a study conducted by the Accident Research
Centre (ARC) of BUET, road accidents claim on average 12,000 lives annually and lead to about
35,000 injuries. According to World Bank statistics, annual fatality rate from road accidents is
found to be 85.6 fatalities per 10,000 vehicles. Hence, the roads in Bangladesh have become
deadly. And one of the main reason is the application of faulty engineering knowledge. Of the
total reported accidents on national highways, hit pedestrian emerges as the most common type
of accidents accounting to 40 percent of total accidents and 47 percent of all fatal accidents. This
is followed by head on collision (18%), rear end collision (13%) and overturning (11%) types of
accidents. These four accident types accounted for 82 percent of all accidents and 86 percent of
fatal accidents. The greater incidence of head-on types collisions on national highways as
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compared with its share in total accidents, highly justifies the necessity of separating opposing
traffic stream.

Fig: 3.3.1- Most frequent Accident Types on National Highways

Again, From the collected data, total number of vehicle in accidents were found 1013, 637 and
549 on Dhaka-Chittagong, Dhaka-Sylhet and Dhaka-Aricha national highway respectively,
which count for vehicle class involvement in accident on Dhaka-Chittagong national highway
almost 1.59 times of Dhaka-Sylhet and 1.85 times of Dhaka-Aricha national highway. Similarly
trucks involved in accident are about 40%, 28% and 30% of total accidents for these individual
national highways. Small buses also contribute more accidents which is about 11% for DhakaChittagong and Dhaka Aricha national highways and 16% for Dhaka-Sylhet national highway.
Other road vehicle class involvement in accidents is considerably lower.

Fig: 3.3.2-Accident Involvement by Different

Vehicles Classes on Selected Highways

Fig: 3.3.3- Yearly Variation of Vehicle

Involvement in Accident

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So, Frequent accidents are happening. People are losing their life. Still, the engineers are not
concerned about solving these problems.

4. Standards for Highways:

Standards for Highways contains a variety of technical documentation relating to the design,
construction and maintenance of highways. Some of the document types available on the site are
as follows:

The Design Manual for Roads & Bridges (DMRB)

The DMRB provides a comprehensive manual system which accommodates all current standards, advice notes and other published documents relating to the design, assessment and operation of trunk roads (including motorways). These documents, together with later additions, have
been gathered together in a consistent series of volumes within the manual to help in meeting the
requirements of quality assurance procedures.

The Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works (MCHW)

The MCHW consists of several parts which include the administrative procedures for its use, the
Specification for Highway Works and its corresponding Method of Measurement. The Manual
incorporates the requirements of EU legislation which are mandatory for all Public Procurement
Bodies.

Interim Advice Notes (IANs)

IANs are issued by the Highways Agency from time to time. They contain specific guidance,
which shall only be used in connection with works on motorways and trunk roads in England,
subject to any specific implementation instructions contained within an IAN.

The Network Maintenance Manual (NMM)

This Network Management Manual (NMM) provides advice, some mandatory instruction and
guidance on good practice for the management and provision of the routine and winter service on
the trunk road network. It generally describes the processes for the management of the maintenance service including the interface between the Highways Agency, its service providers and
other stakeholders.

Further Technical Information

Information and downloads on forthcoming DMRB/MCHW documents, Road Restraints Systems, Eurocodes, Errant Vehicles, Air Quality and Gantries.

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CONCLUSION:
An adequate and efficient transport system is a pre-requisite for both initiating and sustaining
economic development. But it is a matter of great sorrow that the roads and highways of our
country are not up to the mark due to the implementation of poor engineering knowledge. In
Bangladesh, development and maintenance of transport infrastructure is essentially the
responsibilities of the public sector as are the provision of railways transportation services and
air transport. Despite that, we see flyover collapse, cracks in the bridges and roads which are
really unexpected. As a result, the economy of the country and the safety of the citizens are
really at stake. So, the government must keep an eye on the constructional work going across the
country in terms of roads and highways. We must remember, By endangering the roads, we will
endanger ourselves.

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RECOMMENDATION:
Some recommendations for road and transportation in Bangladesh are given below:

The Government provides a healthy amount of money for the construction of roads,
highways & flyovers. But due to lack of inspection, the total money is not properly used
by the companies. So inspection committees should be more strong and conscious.
The engineers covering the constructional work of highways and flyovers should be more
precise and scientific regarding the planning and design.
Digitalization of the traffic system should be the number one concern for the government
and it should be done as quickly as possible.
Anyone found guilty in terms of manupilating constructional materials and taking bribe
should be punished immediately.
The defective roads, bridges and flyovers should be marked and the government should
start the re-constructional work wasting no time so that no further casualties can occur.

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Appendix :.
1. When RHD (Roads & Highway Department was created in Bangladesh ?
a) 1987
b) 1965
c) 1962
d) 1972
2. What is the state owned corporation in Bangladesh ?
a) RHD
b) BRTC c) RRP d) RAJUK
3. The length of all roads in Bangladesh is a) 21481.25 km
b) 23654.45 km
c) 45637.23 km
4.Largest bridge in Bangladesh is a) Jamuna bridge
b) Lalon Shah bridge
d) Shah Amanat bridge

d) 23145.876 km

c) Meghna bridge

5. Access to all season roads in bangladesh in percentage is a) 45% b) 78% c)23%

d) 39%
6. Largest flyover in Bangladesh is a) Kuril Flyover b) Jatrabari-Gulistan Flyover
d) Khilgaon Flyover

c) Mohakhali Flyover

7. What is the biggest upcoming project in Bangladesh ?

a) Dhaka -Chittagong access control highway
b) Padma Bridge
c)Jatrabari-Gulistan Flyover
d) Dhaka -Shylhet access control highway
8. Length of Padma Bridge will be a) 7.2 km b) 4.9 km c) 6.15 km d) 8.2 km
9. Which flyover has recently collapsed ?
a) Mohakhali Flyover b) Bodderhat Flyover
Flyover

c) Jatrabari Flyover

d) Kuril

10. How many people died in that accident ?

a) 15
b) 46
c) 17
d) 34

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List Of References:
Overpass page on Wikipedia- http://
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overpass
Mohakhali Flyoverhttp://bd.geoview.info/mohakhali_flyover,32109000w
The Daily Starhttp://archive.thedailystar.net/2005/01/05/d50105250212
0.htm
Flyovers of Bangladesh- http://allbangladesh.com/beautiful-flyovers-in-bangladesh/
Bahaddarhat flyover collapsehttp://unbconnect.com/pm-bahaddarhatflyover/#&panel1-1
Jamuna Bridgehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamuna_Bridge
Road accidentshttp://www.rhd.gov.bd/Documents/RoadDesignAndSaf
ety/NationalRoadTrafficAccidentReport2007/National
RoadTrafficAccidentReport2007.pdf
The bdnews24.com online archivewww.bangla.bdnews24.com
Prothom-Alo web archive- www.eprothom-alo.com
Kalerkantha web archive- www.kalerkantha.com
Picture sources- http://images.google.com
Traffic-jam in Dhaka Cityhttp://sifatuddin.wordpress.com
Wikitravel-http://wikitravel.org

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Glossary :
ARC - Accident Research Centre (BUET)
BCL - Bangladesh Consultant Ltd
BJMB - Bangabandhu Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge
Broad gauge - 1.676-m gauge
BRTC - Bangladesh Road and Transport Corporation
DMRB - The Design Manual for Roads & Bridges
DTCB - Dhaka Urban transport Coordination Board
Flyover - An overpass that crosses over another road or railway
LGED - Local Government Engineering Department
MCHW - The Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works
Meter gauge- 1.000-m gauge
MRT - Mass Rapid Transit
N1 - Dhaka Chittagong National Highway
NMM - The Network Maintenance Manual
NOS - Number of span
RHD - The Roads and Highway Department (Responsible for the construction and the
maintenance of the major road and bridge network of Bangladesh)
STU - Shock transmission units
Trenches - Holes or hollowes in roads

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THE END
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