In a fresh shift in policy aimed at easing traffic congestion and modernizing transport management in the capital, authorities have once again revised decisions regarding bus counters in Kallyanpur.
While permission has been granted to reopen the counters, a strict restriction remains in place banning the entry of long-distance intercity buses into the area.
A coordination meeting was recently held involving administrators of the two city corporations, with officials from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) also in attendance. Following the meeting, the DMP issued a directive giving a seven-day deadline to remove unauthorized intercity night coach counters operating within the city.
As a result, all bus counters in the Kallyanpur area were shut down from last Monday, leaving one of the capital's key transport hubs effectively inactive. The sudden closure created uncertainty and inconvenience for passengers and transport workers alike.
However, the situation changed again within days. Following discussions with transport owners' associations, the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), and other relevant agencies, authorities allowed the counters to resume operations. An additional three-month extension was also reportedly granted for the relocation process.
Despite the reopening, a clear condition has been imposed: no intercity buses are allowed to enter Kallyanpur during this period. This has created an unusual situation where counters are operational, but buses are absent from the area.
On the ground, most transport company counters in Kallyanpur have resumed ticket sales and passenger services. However, no buses are seen parked in front of the counters, leading to increased inconvenience for passengers.
An official of SI Travels, ticket seller Asad, said, "We have been given three months, but buses cannot enter Kallyanpur. All vehicles remain at Gabtoli. We have to take passengers there."
