The People’s Republic of Bangladesh and Japan International Cooperation (JICA) have undertaken a project under DTCB (it is noticed that DTCB is renaming as Dhaka Transport Planning and Coordination Authority [DTCA]) namely ‘Feasibility Study of Mass Rapid Transit Line 6 under the Phase 2 Study. The project aims to improve public transport system in the capital city Dhaka, introducing first ever rail based MRT in Bangladesh. The length of MRT Line 6 is 20.1 km and includes 16 stations.

The line starts from Uttara where Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakhya (RAJUK) planned Uttara Phase 3 for development of residential and commercial plots/area and ends at Saidabad passing through Pallabi – Mirpur 10 – Begum Rokeya Sharani – Bijoy Sharani – Farm Gate –Sonargaon –TSC-Press Club-Paltan and Bangladesh Bank.

In line with this, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been conducted. The EIA study will address the affected households, population and properties including those on the government land, throughout the entire 20.1 km. proposed elevated MRT. It may be mentioned that 16 rail stations will have to be constructed newly which will require land acquisition at the selected places of Uttara, Pallabi, IMT (Institute of Medical Technology), Mirpur-10, Kazipara, Taltala, Agargaon, Chandrima Uddan, Farmgate, Sonargaon, National Museum, Bangla Academy, National Stadium and Bangladesh Bank. And almost all the land acquisition will be for constructing these new stations.

To compensate for the socio-economic losses, mostly related to homestead and commercial enterprises along with employees/vendors, etc, the study will also propose a comprehensive compensation package so that the affected persons can at least retain their pre-project socio-economic standard or life.

One may find the full EIA study report on clicking on the view file or you may download by clicking download button.

The Current Regulatory Instruments for Road Transport Administration is regulated/managed on the basis of Motor Vehicle Ordinance 1983, Motor Vehicle Rules 1940 &1984 Tax Rules 1966, Motor Vehicle Regulation of BRTA and MV Tax Act 1932.

The main deficiency of the Motor Vehicle Act 1983 is; it does not adapt technological changes. Inadequate issues and all the road users are not considered in the whole process of the ordinance. There are no updated provisions for disciplined driving, installation and erection of traffic signs.MVO 1983 which is based on the obsolete MV Act 1939, in its present form is unable to meet present need of the road transport sector. The methodology adopted for carrying out the study of the ordinance was: identification of the issues of each chapter, consultation of similar laws of the sub-continent, regional countries like Malaysia and Singapore and UK and Australia to find out the legal provisions of similar issues in those laws. The MVO has 12 chapters, 183 sections and 12 schedules while the proposed RTTA has 22 chapters, 370 sections and one schedule. The primary clients of the consultant’s team are DTCB and BRTA. Some new issues have been added in the RTTA such as Provision for creation of Department of Road Transport and Creation of Road Transport Fund.

According to the new ordinance there is Empowerment of the Government to keep in abeyance certain provisions of the Act, if so desired. Provisions for licensing of drivers have been updated and fine-tuned such as Maximum age limit, new classification of driving licenses recognition of foreign licenses.The elaborated explanation of three chapters are given in the ordinance which are Permit for individual transport vehicles, Licensing of public vehicle fleet operators Route Franchising and BRT operation and Provisions for construction and operation of terminals and parking places by licensed operators.Then the Bangla and English version of the ordinance should be prepared and the proposed law should be placed to the Parliament for enactment.

 We are now expecting extensive stakeholder and public feedback for enrich the draft.

Please submit your Comments and provide section reference of the proposed law within 15-12-2011.