Despite being one of Dhaka’s most vital inter-district transport hubs, Mohakhali Bus Terminal is riddled with disorder, extortion, drug abuse, and lawlessness. The situation raises serious concerns over the safety of passengers and Utter failure of men at the helm to run the terminal in proper way.
Every day, thousands of people travel through the terminal, which connects the capital to northern and eastern regions of the country. But behind the facade of connectivity lies a web of mismanagement.
A recent visit to the site and interviews with drivers, passengers, and terminal workers paint a troubling picture of hopeless mess: criminal groups—often posing as “line-men”—routinely extort illegal tolls ranging from Tk 300 to Tk 370 per vehicle. These extortions, labelled as “token fees” or “organisational costs,” are not accounted for in any government ledger.
Drivers alleged that those refusing to pay were harassed, pushed out of queues, or denied entry into the terminal.
Passengers and local traders have alleged that the rear side of the terminal area turns almost a horror spot after evening. Drug use and open drug dealing are rampant there. Some, speaking anonymously, said that after 9:00pm, unfamiliar young men and women throng there and brawl begins more often than not. it become virtually a dam of touts them. Although police patrol the area occasionally, the criminal activities persist.
Some external bus companies have been carrying out rapier work inside the terminal for weeks, leading to an increase in bus parking outside the terminal.
Bashir Khan, a driver of Labiba Paribahan, said, “Until passengers board, we are forced to park the bus outside. If we enter the terminal, it’s difficult to reach the counter on time.”
He also alleged that, as the company does not have a designated parking area in the city, they are compelled to park their buses in surrounding areas along with vehicles of other transport services.
Meanwhile, terminal authorities have said that Labiba Paribahan is currently operating 35 buses through six counters.
the security personnel revealed that trained pickpockets and fraud rings loaf around Mohakhali terminal area. They usually target waiting passengers and commit theft or fraud whenever the opportunity comes.
The terminal, once envisioned as a model facility, now looks like a neglected slum. Several transport companies, including Shah Fateh Ali and Alama Asia Paribahan, operate hundreds of buses without any organised parking inside the terminal. The surrounding roads—often stretching Three kilometers—serve as a makeshift parking zones, for them aggravating the to chronic congestion.
Women passengers in particular face high risks. “After dark, it’s extremely unsafe. I try to avoid the terminal altogether,” said Beauty, a commuter. Drug users and peddlers allegedly roam freely in back alleys and small rooms turn into narcotic dens. Business owners confirm the open sale and use of yaba and phensedyl, but none dare speak publicly for fear of attack by them.
Even though there is a women’s help corner at the terminal gate, basic services like first aid or child seating are non-existent. Female passengers, in seeking help, often fall victim to scams and harassment by touts.
Police presence is limited and often ineffective. Mohammad Sohel Sarkar, in charge of the on-site police outpost, admitted that only 24 polices patrol the area. “We respond quickly to theft, fare issues, or lost luggage. only this much we can do,” he said, noting the lack of housing and support for police personnel.
The terminal officially is under the jurisdiction of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), but the presence of corporation man is barely felt. Rooms meant for DNCC officers have been taken over by SF Corporation—the terminal’s leaseholder—and transport owners. Even the office assistant’s room remains locked for reasons best known to them.
In contrast, the transport owners' association claims the situation is improving. “We’ve held several meetings to make the terminal passenger-friendly,” said Sirajul Islam, President of Mohakhali Bus Terminal Road Transport Owners' Association.
“The area is now free of crime” he added.
Md. Kamrul Islam, General Secretary of Mohakhali Bus Terminal Road Transport Owners' Association, claimed that since August 5 last year, no extortion has occurred and 100 private security personnel had been deployed. However, he accused the nearby filling stations of illegally occupying half of the road, which is yet to be addressed by traffic police.
Despite such reassurances, the ground reality remains dire. Until authorities step in with effective oversight, the Mohakhali Bus Terminal will continue to symbolise the chaotic underbelly of Dhaka’s public transport system—where the law becomes weak, and the passengers fend for themselves.
Deputy Police Commissioner of Gulshan Traffic Division, Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, told the Bangladesh Post: "Since assuming responsibility, I have held three meetings with the committee in charge of the terminal. Each time, they assured me that no vehicles would be parked on the road.
However, in reality, it's been difficult to restore order at the Mohakhali terminal due to the involvement of multiple transport organisations."
He further alleged, "Although there is sufficient empty space inside the terminal, various activities such as denting, painting, and vehicle repairs are being carried out there. This is not a garage where vehicles can be left for a few days, creating obstructions on the road."
Agreeing with Bangladesh Post's observation, he added, "Drivers are creating multiple lanes on the road, worsening the traffic congestion. As a result, regular cases are being filed against illegal parking."
He also stated "A dedicated lane will soon be introduced to ensure that vehicles leaving the terminal cannot stop anywhere before reaching the Mohakhali signal to pick up passengers."
