Transportation in Bangladesh
The transport sector in Bangladesh consists of several modes of transport. In Bangladesh there are three modes of transport, i.e. road, rail and water, are widely used to transport passengers and goods.
The road network has expanded dramatically in recent years. In 1947 in Bangladesh there were only 461.8 kilometers of metalled roads. In 1997, the total length of paved roads under the road administration reached more than 20,000 kilometers. Mechanized road transport is estimated to account for about 70% of the country’s total passenger and freight traffic.
The last few years Many bridges like Padma Bridge, Bangabandhu Jamuna Bridge, Meghna Bridge were built. Meghna-Gumti Bridges, Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge, Shambhuganj Bridge and Mahananda Bridge were completed. The 4.8 km Bangabandhu Bridge was commissioned in June 1998 and is the 11th longest bridge in the world. It creates strategic links between East and West Bangladesh, integrates Bangladesh, creates multi-faceted benefits for the people and facilitates inter-regional trade. In addition to the rapid flow of goods and passengers, it facilitates the transmission of electricity and natural gas and integrates telecommunications links.
About 32% of the total land area of Bangladesh is effectively covered by railways. The state-owned Bangladesh Railway operates 2,706 kilometers of track, employs about 60,000 people, has a fleet of 307 locomotives, 1,240 passenger cars and I L643 freight cars, and provides passenger and freight services through 502 stations.
About two-thirds of Bangladesh is wetlands, intertwined with a dense network of rivers, canals and streams. Water transport is the only available method for almost 10% of the total area. Navigable waterways range from 8,372 km during the monsoon to 5,200 km during the dry season. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority was established by the government to maintain the navigable capacity of ports and canals, while the state-owned BIWTC provides passenger and freight services in the country’s inland waterways and coastal areas.
The entire coastline along the Bay of Bengal is 710 kilometers long. The country has two main ports. Chittagong is the oldest port, serving as a port of entry for at least 1,000 years. The Mongla port in the Khulna region serves western Bangladesh.
Bangladesh now has several operational airports. These are Dhaka, Barisal, Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Jessore, Rajshahi, Syedpur, and Sylhet. Among them, Dhaka, Chattatum and Sylhet airports serve international routes. The government has made short take-off and landing (STOL) services available to the private sector.
The Civil Aviation Authority is a public sector entity charged with the construction, maintenance and supervision of airports and the regulation of air traffic. Flag carrier Biman flies to 26 international and 8 domestic destinations.
Air:
Bangladesh can be reached by air from anywhere in the world. Bangladesh Airlines connects Dhaka with 27 major cities around the world.
Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Athens, Bangkok, Mumbai, Kolkata, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Karachi, Kathmandu, Kuala Lumpur, London, Muscat, Tehran, Baghdad, Kuwait, Yangon, Rome, Tripoli, Tokyo, Singapore, Bahrain, Frankfurt, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Sharjah, Seoul, Riyadh and Delhi.
Apart from Biman, several other (international) airlines also fly to and from Dhaka.
Bangladesh Airways Biman also connects Dhaka with Chittagong, Jessore, Cox’s Bazar, Rajshahi, Saidpur and Sylhet on its several domestic routes. (Biman, Bangladesh Airways, Tel: 9560151-9; inquiries and reservations).
Foreign airlines:
- Trans World Airlines Inc.: Tel: 880-2-9552491, 9552208
- Air France: Tel: 880-2-9568277, 9563050, 9551338,
- Japan Airlines: Tel: 880-2-9129322, 9129710
- Air India: Tel: 880-2-9555915, 9557813, 8912205 (airport)
- Kuwait Airways: Tel: 880-2-9110238, 9118829 (city) 8914215 (airport)
- British Airways: Tel: 880-2-9564869-72, 8914410, 8912467 (airport)
- Lufthansa: Tel: 880-2-8618995, 8611191
- Myanmar International Airlines: Tel: 880-2-8810579-80
- United Airlines: Tel: 880-2-9556538-9, 9556505, 9567379
- Cathay Pacific: Tel: 880-2-9559390, 9559721, 9557117
- Pan Am: Phone: 880-2-9554369
- Gulf Air: Tel: 880-2-8113237-40
- PIA: Tel: 880-2-8312985, 8823023
- Singapore Airlines: Tel: 880-2-8828769, 8828774, 8811504-8
- Emirates: Tel: 880-2-9563825-29, 9563830
- SWISS: Tel: 880-2-8821908, 8822376
- Korean Air: Tel: 880-2-9563817-9
- Saudi Arabia Tel: 880-2-8116859-60, (City) 8914436, 8914341 (Airport)
- Malaysia Airlines: Tel: 880-2-9885479, 9885480
- Thailand International: Tel: 880-2-8314711-9, 8914351 (airport)
- Qatar Airways, Tel: 880-2-9563050, 9564945
- Royal Nepal Airlines: Tel: 880-2-9550423, 9559353
- Qantas: Tel: 880-2-9886634-7
- KLM: Tel: 880-2-8113005, 9116519
- Philippine Airlines: Tel: 880-2-411488
- Alitalia: Tel: 880-2-9551673
- Continental Airlines: Tel: 880-2-9565386-1,
Rails:
From Dhaka, Bangladesh Railway provides efficient services to places of interest like Chittagong, Sylhet, Khulna, Mymensingh, Bogra, Rajshahi, Dinajpur etc. Intercity Express service travels to and from major cities at low fares.
Waterway:
Country-made boats are the most used carrier seen in rivers and streams. They transport passengers and goods on a massive scale. Bangladesh’s landscape is dominated by about 250 rivers that flow essentially from north to south. Alluvial floodplains formed by these rivers cover most of the country. Where there is a river and where there is a village, there is a motor boat or steamer for trade. Traveling from Dhaka (Sadar Ghat) to Khulna (Gateway to Sundarbans) by Rocket Steamer is a rewarding experience.
Bus/Coach Service:
Road transport in Bangladesh is a private sector affair and operates mainly on domestic routes. The price is the cheapest in the world. Fast and direct services to major cities are available from Dhaka’s Gabtoli, Saidabad and Mohakhai bus terminals. The Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) also has a nationwide network of bus services. Recently, they launched a direct daily bus service from Dhaka-Kolkata-Dhaka via Benapole in Jessore.
Railway:
Bangladesh Railway provide efficient services throughout Bangladesh. Intercity express services to and from important cities are available. Local trains run at cheaper rates.
Car rental:
Private car rental services are available in Dhaka and some other major cities. In Bangladesh Haque car rental has a large fleet of air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned cars, microbuses, minibuses and jeeps. In addition, we also provide transfers for tourists between Dhaka Airport and major city points or hotels.