The government has decided to discontinue the Dhaka-Gazipur Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project after 14 years of construction and spending over Tk 2,810 crore, opting instead to convert the Gazipur-Airport corridor into a conventional six-lane highway. The project, initially approved in November 2012 with an estimated cost of Tk 2,038 crore and completion target of December 2016, faced repeated delays and cost escalations, with revised estimates reaching Tk 6,598 crore and an extended deadline pushed to 2029 before revisions were rejected in July 2025 by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).

Despite around 97 percent completion of civil infrastructure by late 2024, the BRT system never became operational as dedicated buses were not procured, and related facilities remained incomplete or unusable. The prolonged construction period along the busy Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway caused significant traffic congestion and disruption, resulting in at least six fatalities at construction sites. Commuters endured hardship without benefiting from the intended improved mobility.

Following a technical review by experts from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), critical design flaws, inadequate feasibility studies, poor coordination among implementing agencies, and weak accountability mechanisms were identified as key contributors to the project's failure. BUET recommended abandoning the BRT and repurposing the existing infrastructure for general traffic use. The Roads and Highways Division is expected to assume control of the corridor, and the Dhaka Bus Rapid Transit PLC entity overseeing the project will be closed.

However, this decision has drawn criticism from several professional bodies and local residents. The Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP), the Institute for Planning and Development (IPD), and Gazipur inhabitants argue that the project could still be completed and made operational with additional investment, including procuring 187 buses within a few months. They caution that demolition and reconstruction may incur further public costs—estimated at Tk 45 crore for dismantling alone—and prolong commuter difficulties. Concerns were also raised that converting dedicated lanes into conventional traffic routes might exacerbate congestion and environmental pollution over time.

There are calls for a transparent, independent cost-benefit analysis to evaluate options: completing the BRT as originally intended, modifying the system to address operational challenges, or fully converting the corridor into a highway. Additionally, experts have suggested exploring commuter rail links between Gazipur and Dhaka as an alternative mass transit solution.

Beyond technical and financial aspects, the project's prolonged mismanagement has sparked demands for accountability. Critics highlight the absence of effective oversight, citing fatal construction accidents, questionable procurement decisions, and allegations of political interference and corruption during previous administrations. There are calls for a thorough investigation into misappropriation of funds and misconduct associated with the project.

As the government moves forward with the highway conversion plan, balancing the immediate need for improved traffic flow with the long-term requirement for affordable, reliable mass transit remains a central challenge. Ensuring transparency and accountability in this transition will be critical to restoring public trust and avoiding repetition of such costly setbacks in future infrastructure initiatives.