Dhaka, the 4th most densely populated city in the world, has long struggled with horrific traffic congestion. In 2025, despite government initiatives, the situation remains dire—with commuters spending 2-3 hours daily stuck in gridlock.
This in-depth analysis explores:
✔ Key reasons behind Dhaka’s worsening traffic in 2025
✔ Economic & health impacts of congestion
✔ Failed & successful transport projects
✔ Realistic solutions to fix Dhaka’s traffic nightmare
Dhaka Traffic in 2025: By the Numbers
📌 Average speed: 7 km/h (slower than walking in some areas)
📌 Time lost per year: 500+ hours per commuter
📌 Economic cost: $4.7 billion yearly (lost productivity & fuel waste)
📌 Air pollution deaths: 30,000+ annually (linked to traffic fumes)
Top 10 Reasons Why Dhaka Traffic is So Bad in 2025
**1. *Exploding Population & Urbanization*
- Dhaka’s population: 25+ million (growing at 3.5% yearly)
- 70% of Bangladesh’s economic activity is Dhaka-centric, forcing mass migration.
**2. *Too Many Cars, Too Few Roads*
- Vehicle growth rate: 10% per year
- Only 7% of Dhaka’s area is roads (vs. 25% in Delhi)
- No car ownership restrictions (unlike Singapore’s COE system)
**3. *Poor Public Transport System*
- BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) delays – Only 20 km operational (planned 100 km)
- Metro Rail Phase 1 helps, but Phase 2 is delayed till 2027
- Buses are overcrowded & irregular
**4. *Unplanned Road Digging & Construction*
- DSCC & DNCC dig roads randomly for utilities (no coordination)
- Ongoing mega-projects (Metro, Expressway) block key routes
**5. *Traffic Rule Violations & Lack of Enforcement*
- 90% of drivers ignore signals (DMP data)
- Illegal parking reduces road width by 30%
- CNG & rickshaws stop anywhere
**6. *Rickshaws & Slow-Moving Vehicles*
- 1 million+ rickshaws clog narrow lanes
- No dedicated lanes for non-motorized transport
**7. *No Effective Traffic Management System*
- Manual policing instead of AI-based signals
- Poor lane discipline (cars, buses, bikes mix chaotically)
**8. *Waterlogging & Flooded Roads*
- 40% of Dhaka goes underwater in monsoon
- Drainage system fails due to garbage clogging
**9. *Political Rallies & VIP Movement*
- Frequent hartals & processions block major roads
- Unplanned VIP convoys halt traffic for hours
**10. *Lack of Alternative Routes & Flyovers*
- Only 52 flyovers (need 100+ for a city this size)
- No ring road completed (Dhaka Elevated Expressway still partial)
Impacts of Dhaka’s Traffic Chaos
**1. *Economic Losses*
- $12 million lost daily in productivity (FBCCI)
- Garment industry suffers delivery delays
**2. *Health & Environmental Damage*
- Air pollution kills 10x more than road accidents
- Stress-related diseases (hypertension, depression) rise
**3. *Social Frustration & Protests*
- #DhakaTrafficHell trends weekly on social media
- Commuters spend 25% of waking hours in traffic
Government Projects: Hits & Misses
| Project | Goal | 2025 Status |
|---|---|---|
| Metro Rail (MRT-6) | Reduce 20% vehicles | Phase 1 helps, Phase 2 delayed |
| Dhaka Elevated Expressway | Decongest Bijoy Sarani-Farmgate | Only 30% operational |
| BRT Gazipur-Airport | Fast bus transit | Stuck in land disputes |
| Smart Traffic Signals | AI-based control | Pilot failed due to power cuts |
How Other Cities Solved Traffic (Lessons for Dhaka)
✅ Bogotá (Colombia) – TransMilenio BRT
- Dedicated bus lanes moved 2 million/day
- Dhaka’s BRT could replicate this if completed
✅ Singapore – ERP & COE System
- Electronic road pricing charges peak-hour drivers
- Strict car ownership quotas
✅ Tokyo – Metro & Discipline
- World’s busiest metro (14 million/day)
- Zero tolerance for traffic violations
5 Realistic Solutions for Dhaka
**1. *Strict Traffic Law Enforcement*
- Automated fines for signal jumpers
- Clear illegal parking & rickshaw stands
**2. *Complete Metro Rail & BRT Fast*
- Speed up MRT-6 Phase 2
- Finish BTA Gazipur route
**3. *Car Ownership Restrictions*
- Higher taxes on private cars
- Promote electric bikes & shared transport
**4. *Build Missing Links (Ring Road, Flyovers)*
- Complete Dhaka Elevated Expressway
- Add 50+ new footbridges
**5. *Work-from-Home & Staggered Office Hours*
- IT firms can reduce peak-hour pressure
- Schools/offices should adjust timings
Will Dhaka Traffic Improve by 2030?
✅ If reforms accelerate, congestion could drop 30%.
❌ If business continues as usual, Dhaka may become completely gridlocked.
Conclusion: Can Dhaka Escape Traffic Hell?
Dhaka’s traffic crisis stems from too many cars, poor planning, and weak enforcement. While mega-projects like the Metro Rail help, systemic reforms are needed.
Citizens must also:
🔹 Use public transport
🔹 Report illegal parking
🔹 Demand better governance