United News of Bangladesh

The per capita public debt of Bangladesh stood at Tk 129,239.19 as of March 31, 2026, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury told Parliament on Sunday. He disclosed the figure while responding to a question from BNP MP Reza Ahmed of Kushtia-1. The Finance Minister said the government is taking a range of measures to reduce the debt burden on  people, with emphasis on increasing revenue collection, ensuring efficient management of public funds and strengthening debt management. He said the government is working to expand the revenue base and increase tax and non-tax revenue to boost its own income and reduce the need for borrowing. At the same time, efforts are being made to make public expenditure more economical and productive while curbing unnecessary and non-priority spending, he said. The government is also pursuing market-based and disciplined borrowing and debt management to reduce refinancing risks, said the minister. He said initiatives have been taken to develop the domestic debt market, broaden the investor base and make the government securities market more effective and competitive. The government is also maintaining prescribed limits on additional borrowing through savings certificates, while taking steps to align their interest or profit rates with market conditions and prevailing interest rates, he said. “These measures will help reduce dependence on relatively high-cost borrowing, keep the government’s overall interest expenditure under control and create a more balanced debt portfolio,” the minister said. The government is also placing importance on preparing and following an Annual Borrowing Plan to avoid excessive and unplanned borrowing, he said. “Cash Forecasting” initiatives are being undertaken by taking into account the government’s likely cash requirements, revenue and expenditure flows and debt repayment schedules, he added. The minister said the government is also emphasising compliance with the Public Money and Budget Management Act, 2009 (PMBM Act) in financial management, budget implementation, borrowing and maintaining fiscal discipline. He said the combined efforts to increase revenue and income, control public expenditure and borrowing costs, improve cash management and strengthen market-based debt management are aimed at reducing the government’s borrowing requirements and, in the long term, easing the debt burden on the people. The minister, however, did not provide a separate figure for per capita debt for an earlier year in the response placed before Parliament.

The third session of the 13th Parliament turned heated on its opening day on Thursday as opposition lawmakers protested remarks made by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed during the question-answer session, triggering loud protests and disrupting proceedings for around 10 minutes. Opposition lawmakers strongly objected to what they described as disparaging remarks by the minister. Although Salahuddin later withdrew the remarks, the situation did not immediately calm. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad repeatedly urged the opposition lawmakers to take their seats and allow the minister to speak. Later, expressing concern over what he described as growing intolerance among lawmakers, the Speaker said he was “somewhat concerned” about the future of Parliament. The incident began when Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Md Shafiqul Islam Masud, while asking a supplementary question, alleged that snatching incidents are taking place in broad daylight and that lawmakers are being attacked. He also alleged that opposition leaders and activists are being arrested in false cases, while accused persons in cases involving attacks on opposition members are not being arrested. Masud asked what steps the home minister is taking in this regard. Initially, Salahuddin said he was inattentive during the first minute and asked Masud to repeat his question. After Masud repeated it, the minister said, “Speaking at Shahbagh Square and speaking in Parliament are not the same thing.” The remark immediately drew strong protests from opposition lawmakers, many of whom stood up and began shouting. Earlier, while replying to a question from National Citizen Party (NCP) lawmaker Hasnat Abdullah, Salahuddin said, “I could not understand whether this is a question or a speech at Paltan.” Although some lawmakers mildly objected to that remark, the reaction became much stronger after his response to Masud’s question. Facing the protests, the minister said he did not direct the remark at anyone. As the commotion continued, he told the Speaker, “I am seeking your shelter.” Amid the uproar, the home minister eventually said he was withdrawing his remarks. But the opposition members continued their protest, forcing him to sit down at one point as he could not be heard over the noise. The Speaker repeatedly urged the lawmakers to remain seated and listen to the minister. "Honourable members, that is enough. You have spoken for a long time. Now please sit down. Please take your seats," he was heard saying. Hafiz Uddin also told the opposition members that they will be given an opportunity to speak through their microphones instead of shouting from their seats. "This is not the Awami League's time. Here you can criticise the government as much as you want. Please sit down and wait," he said. The Speaker assured the opposition that he will give the opposition leader the floor after the home minister completed his statement. Salahuddin then resumed speaking, while the opposition lawmakers continued standing and protesting. The Speaker urged him to address the Chair. Amid the continued uproar, Salahuddin said questions about where snatching took place and whether accused persons were arrested should be raised specifically rather than making wholesale remarks. Speaker Hafiz Uddin subsequently gave the floor to Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman. As some treasury bench lawmakers began making comments, Shafiqur responded, "Will you give the speech, or will I? You give it." Addressing the Speaker, he said, "This is ominous. If comments are made like this while I am speaking, then there is no need for me to stand here." The Speaker then asked him to continue. Shafiqur said, "With due respect to the honourable Members of Parliament and the home minister, I want to say he has not used these words for the first time today. Since the Parliament began its session, he has been belittling everyone. I do not understand what he thinks of himself." He further alleged that Salahuddin had previously shown the "audacity" to say in Parliament that he would play the role of a teacher. "We did not come here to become his students. If he wants to teach, let him open a university. Those who like it can enrol there and listen to his lectures," the opposition leader said. He said the home minister "attacked" the opposition twice in the same sitting. "My colleagues think, and I also think, that this is not cultural; this is parliamentary fascism. This should not happen," he said. Demanding that the home minister apologise and that his remarks be expunged from the parliamentary record, Shafiqur said the opposition will remain in the House if those demands are met. "Otherwise, there is no question of sitting here with this humiliation," he said. Opposition lawmakers thumped their desks in support of their leader. Speaker concerned about Parliament's future Later, Speaker Hafiz Uddin said all lawmakers are working to reflect the hopes and aspirations of the people in Parliament. He said Parliament cannot function effectively if its Rules of Procedure are not followed. "I am deeply saddened to observe that I am increasingly noticing intolerance among some members," the Speaker said. He reminded lawmakers that Parliament has been elected for five years and that everyone has the right to speak. Hafiz Uddin said the home minister's remarks will be examined and any unparliamentary words will be expunged, if necessary. "But do not take away the freedom of speech. There are twice or three times as many members on this side (the treasury bench) as there are on your (opposition) side. So, the message cannot be silenced by making noise. Let me run the Parliament," he told the opposition. In response, Opposition Leader Shafiqur said the issue was already clear and did not require further examination. He also objected to the Speaker's reference to the numerical strength of the two sides. "I did not like it when, towards the end, you said that there are three times as many members on this side than on that side. I am not in favour of dividing this Parliament by any ratio," he said. "We have said from the beginning that we will all unite for good work and work together. If anything wrong happens, we will protest," Shafiqur said. Later, ruling party lawmaker Md Manirul Haque Chowdhury spoke on a point of order. After his remarks, Speaker Hafiz Uddin expressed concern over the way lawmakers prevented one another from speaking. "Honourable Members of Parliament, I am somewhat concerned about the future of Parliament. Today, I have observed attempts to prevent one another from speaking. This is not a good sign for Parliament," he said. The Speaker said democracy has been achieved after much struggle. “Every Member of Parliament has a responsibility to ensure that this democracy remains intact.”  

Parliament on Thursday adopted a condolence motion expressing profound shock and sorrow at the death of former acting President and Speaker Barrister Muhammad Jamiruddin Sircar, several other former Members of Parliament (MPs), four noted personalities and loss of lives in the Nepal flash flood. The motion was unanimously adopted in the House shortly after the third session of the current Parliament began at 3:00pm, with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad in the chair. The Speaker moved the condolence motion, which was adopted after the House observed a one-minute silence in memory of the deceased. Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain (Kaikobad) later conducted a munajat seeking eternal peace for the departed souls. In the motion, the Speaker said the nation lost former acting President, Speaker, Minister and MP Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar on July 12, 2026. “Profound sorrow and shock have been expressed by Parliament at his death,” he said. The House also expressed grief over the deaths of former MPs, including Md Rustam Ali Molla (BNP), Farid Uddin Chowdhury (Jamaat-e-Islami), former chief whip and state minister Advocate Harun Al Rashid (BNP), Mosharraf Hossain Mia (Jasod), Selima Ahmad (Awami League), Sharfuddin Khasru (Jatiya Party/BNP), former state minister Nazrul Islam Chowdhury (Awami League), Golam Sarwar Hiru (Islami Oikya Jote), former minister Freedom Fighter Satish Chandra Roy (Awami League), Muhammad Rafiqul Islam (Awami League) and former minister Major General (retd) Mohabbat Jan Chowdhury. Parliament also expressed deep grief at the deaths of noted personalities, including Ekushey Padak-winning poet Al Mujahidi, Ekushey Padak-winning artist Mustafa Monwar, eminent political thinker, writer, researcher and academician Prof Abul Kasem Fazlul Haq, and educationist Dr Makbul Hossain. Besides, the House expressed profound shock at the loss of lives in the recent flash flood in Nepal. The condolence motion also expressed sorrow over the loss of lives in accidents at home and abroad and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved families.

The current parliament, formed through the February-12 election, will go into third session on August 27 after a 43-day recess following the prorogation of the second session. third session of the 13th Parliament will begin at 3pm on August 27 (Thursday), said Director (Public Relation) of the Parliament Secretariat Monir Hossain on Tuesday.The President has summoned the parliamentary session, exercising the powers vested in him under Article 72(1) of the Constitution. Earlier on July 15, the second (budget) session of the current parliament was prorogued after 27 working days. During the session, Parliament passed a Tk 9,38,000 crore national budget for 2026-27 fiscal year, which is the first budget under the current BNP government. The parliament passed a total of 11 bills and formed 11 parliamentary committees, including the Special Committee for Constitutional Amendment and nine parliamentary standing committees, during the session. The first session of the 13th Parliament commenced on March 12, 2026.

Members of Parliament from both the treasury and opposition benches on Sunday paid glowing tributes to former Speaker Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar, recalling his successful and illustrious career as a lawyer, parliamentarian, minister, speaker and the acting president. Following a discussion on his workful life and contributions, lawmakers observed a one-minute silence in his memory.  A special prayer was offered for the eternal peace of his departed soul, after which Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed adjourned the House for the rest of the day as a mark of respect. Taking part in the discussion, LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said Jamiruddin Sircar was a very popular public figure among the people of his constituency and north Bengal despite it being one of the country's poorest regions. "He was never defeated in any election and remained a guardian to his people," he said, Fakhrul said Sircar was not only popular in North Bengal but also in the national arena. He said Sircar discharged every responsibility throughout his life with sincerity and dedication. He praised the late leader's unwavering commitment to the rule of law, democracy and liberal politics, saying Sircar's vast knowledge of history, literature and law made him a role model for future generations. Recalling his advice, Fakhrul said Sircar always believed democracy could only flourish through elections. Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman remembered Sircar as an accomplished lawyer and politician who had stood beside his party Jamaat-e-Islami during difficult times. He said Sircar repeatedly represented Jamaat leaders in court during what he described as the "fascist era" without accepting any legal fees. "Whenever we tried to pay him, he would refuse, saying it was his moral duty and a privilege to stand by us," Shafiqur said, becoming emotional as he recalled Sircar's contributions. He also praised Sircar's tenure as Speaker, saying he had kept Parliament vibrant and had served as a mentor to many in the legal profession. Home Minister Salauddin Ahmed said Sircar excelled in every role he held—as a lawyer, MP, Minister, Speaker and former (acting) President. “He is such a successful person who would remain an inspiration for us in the future,” he said.  "My entire professional life is almost equal to the span of his career, yet I have never heard any criticism of his integrity as a lawyer or from any of his clients," he said. Senior BNP lawmaker Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain described Sircar as a successful lawyer and politician who had made significant contributions under the leadership of former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. He said Sircar also rendered outstanding service as Speaker of Parliament. Opposition Jamaat lawmaker Barrister Nazibur Rahman recalled Sircar had successfully handled the challenges of presiding over the 8th Parliament after being elected Speaker in 2001. “He was elected Speaker of the 8th Parliament in 2001. It was a very challenging time to serve. Especially since a fascist party was in the opposition. We saw that he discharged that responsibility with great competence and calmness,” he said.  He noted that Sircar had practised in the Supreme Court for 66 years and authored 12 books, setting an example for both lawyers and politicians. Treasury bench lawmaker Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon said Sircar's reputation in the legal profession had led former President Ziaur Rahman to appoint him as a member of Bangladesh's delegation to the UN General Assembly five times between 1977 and 1981. NCP lawmaker Akhtar Hossen said Sircar's ideals and lifelong contributions should be preserved as a positive example for meeting public aspirations and building a better Bangladesh. Lawmakers from both sides of the House also expressed condolences to Sircar's bereaved family and prayed for the salvation of his soul. Concluding the discussion, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad said the nation had lost an eminent jurist and a man of exceptional integrity. "Listening to your speeches has deeply moved me. I had the opportunity to serve with him in Parliament,” he said admiring the way he conducted the House with dignity and wisdom. The Speaker described Sircar as an eminent lawyer and a close associate of former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, adding that he had never heard anyone speak ill of him. "The nation has lost a great son," the Speaker said. The special prayer was conducted by BNP lawmaker Qamruzzaman Ratan (Munshiganj-3). Earlier, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmud raised the matter on a point of order, urging the House to suspend all other business in honour of the late former Speaker. He said that in the past, whenever a former Speaker died while Parliament was in session, lawmakers from both sides of the House discussed a condolence motion before adjourning the sitting as a gesture of respect. Responding, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad said it had long been the practice to adjourn Parliament immediately upon the death of a sitting MP or Speaker, but the House had never previously faced the death of a sitting Speaker during an ongoing session. "We will hold a discussion in his memory and then adjourn the House for the remainder of the day," he said. Former acting President and Speaker of Parliament Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar passed away early Sunday while undergoing treatment at a hospital in the capital. He was 95. His son Muhammad Naushad Jamir is also a BNP lawmaker from Panchagarh-1 constituency in the current 13th parliament

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday said the government has taken practical steps to modernise onion storage, reduce post-harvest losses and ensure fair prices for farmers. Responding to a question from Faridpur-4 MP Md Shohidul Islam during the Prime Minister's question-answer session in Parliament, he said a number of projects are being implemented to improve onion and garlic storage and marketing across the country. Govt committed to restoring investors’ confidence in capital market: PM "The government has taken practical measures to prevent wastage of onion and garlic, ensure fair prices for farmers and modernise the storage system," the Prime Minister said. He said 3,500 air-flow machines have already been distributed under a project aimed at improving onion storage in major hubs affected by climate change. Tarique Rahman said another ongoing project on modernising onion and garlic storage and improving marketing has already built 900 model storage houses in major producing districts, including Faridpur. “Each storage unit has a capacity of 10 to 12 tonnes and is helping farmers preserve their produce.” The project also provides farmers with technical knowledge, training and market linkages to reduce spoilage and improve marketing opportunities, he added. The Prime Minister said 19,000 farmers received air-flow machines during the 2025-26 fiscal year under a government incentive programme for onion storage. He also said a new project is being prepared to further modernise onion and garlic storage and marketing. “Once implemented, it will install 8,000 air-flow storage machines in major producing districts, including Faridpur.” Tarique Rahman said the modern technology will significantly reduce post-harvest losses and enable farmers to store their produce and sell it later at fair prices.

Chief Whip Md Nurul Islam on Tuesday called on newly elected lawmakers to work collectively to make the 13th Jatiya Sangsad the most effective Parliament in Bangladesh's history and strengthen its role as the centre of democracy. "We want to see the present Parliament as the best in Bangladesh's history. My expectation from the elected members of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad is that you will make this Parliament more effective and establish it as the centre of democracy," he said. The Chief Whip made the remarks while addressing the seventh briefing session of the Budget Helpdesk 2026, organised by the Budget Analysis and Monitoring Unit (BAMU) at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. Members of the newly elected 13th Parliament attended the briefing. During his presentation, Nurul Islam explained the constitutional mandates and functions of the parliamentary standing committees, including the Committee on Public Accounts, the Committee on Public Estimates and the Committee on Public Undertakings. He said the effective functioning of these standing committees is essential for ensuring parliamentary accountability, maintaining financial discipline and strengthening good governance. The Chief Whip stressed that active participation, a sense of responsibility and greater engagement of Members of Parliament in committee activities are indispensable for building an effective legislature. He also emphasised that parliamentary oversight through the standing committees plays a vital role in improving transparency and accountability in public administration. The eighth briefing session featured State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, who spoke on budget allocations for institutions under the Local Government Division at different administrative levels. Officials of the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat and other stakeholders were present at the programme.

Parliament on Tuesday passed a Tk 9,38,000 crore national budget for 2026-27 fiscal year, setting ambitious targets to accelerate economic growth to 6.5 percent and bring inflation down to 7.5 percent after prolonged price pressures eroded living standards for much of the population. The budget, the first presented by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, is 19 percent larger than the Tk 7,90,000 crore budget for the current fiscal year. The fiscal deficit has been projected at Tk 2,43,000 crore, equivalent to 3.6 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP), while the overall budget size represents 13.7 percent of the projected GDP for FY2026-27. As part of the government's economic roadmap, the finance minister unveiled a "3R Strategy" aimed at reviving the economy and supporting Bangladesh's ambition of becoming a $1 trillion economy. The strategy comprises Recovery and Stabilisation, Restoration, and Reconstruction for Acceleration, and will be implemented in three phases over a period of one to five years. Key features of the budget include a revenue collection target of Tk 6,95,000 crore, of which the National Board of Revenue (NBR) is expected to collect Tk 6,04,000 crore. To facilitate implementation of the budget, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury moved the Appropriation Bill, 2026, seeking authorisation for government expenditure amounting to Tk 15,15,439 crore. The bill was passed by voice vote. Earlier on Monday, Parliament passed the Finance Bill, 2026 with several significant amendments, including raising the tax-free income threshold and abolishing the provision requiring disclosure of investments. Before passage of the Appropriation Bill, ministers concerned presented justifications for expenditure under their respective ministries through 59 demands for grants covering both development and non-development spending. The House also rejected, by voice vote, 1,343 cut motions submitted by opposition lawmakers against the 59 demands for grants. A total of 43 MPs from Jamaat, the National Citizen Party (NCP) and independent members moved the cut motions and participated in discussions on 36 ministries and divisions. The 36 ministries, divisions and offices included in the opposition's list for cut motions are: the Prime Minister's Office, Cabinet Division, Ministry of Public Administration, Bangladesh Public Service Commission Secretariat, Finance Division, Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of Bangladesh, Internal Resources Division, Financial Institutions Division, Economic Relations Division, Planning Division, Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED), Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Law and Justice Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, Secondary and Higher Education Division, Ministry of Science and Technology. Besides, Health Services Division, Information and Communication Technology Division, Ministry of Social Welfare, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ministry of Housing and Public Works, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Industries, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ministry of Land, Ministry of Water Resources, Road Transport and Highways Division, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Posts and Telecommunications Division, and the Anti-Corruption Commission. Upon the request of Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman the Speaker expedited the passage of the demands for grants imposing guillotine. Opposition and independent MPs were present in the House when the Appropriation Bill was passed and did not object to its adoption.

The operational and maintenance costs of the Karnaphuli Tunnel in Chattogram are more than double its monthly toll earnings, with the government spending nearly Tk 6.95 crore a month against an average monthly income of Tk 3.37 crore from toll collection, Parliament was told on Monday. Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam disclosed the information while responding to a starred question from NCP MP Md Abul Hasnat of Cumilla-4 in the tabled question. He attributed the higher expenditure to the need for uninterrupted power supply inside the tunnel, lighting, ventilation, fire safety systems, CCTV surveillance and traffic management. Rabiul Alam said immediately after the tunnel was opened, its daily operation and maintenance cost was around Tk 37 lakh. However, through the government's austerity measures and efforts by the Bangladesh Bridge Authority to reduce less essential expenditures, the daily cost has now been brought down to around Tk 22-23 lakh. He also informed Parliament that the government has taken several initiatives to make the tunnel financially viable. Responding to another question from reserved seat MP Mosammat Nazmun Nahar, the minister said the government plans to launch the country's first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service along the 20.5-kilometre corridor from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Shibbari in Gazipur to ease traffic congestion. He said the government is considering ways to improve the project further to ensure maximum public benefit. On measures against unfit vehicles, the minister, replying to a question from Narayanganj-4 MP Abdullah Al Amin, said vehicles whose fitness certificates expired more than 10 years ago and have not been renewed are being removed from roads and their registrations cancelled. Vehicles whose fitness certificates expired five years ago are being targeted for renewal, while lists of both categories have been sent to police and notices issued to owners, he added. Replying to Bhola-4 MP Mohammad Nurul Islam, Rabiul Alam said the government has undertaken an initiative to install GPS devices in all public transport vehicles to improve highway discipline, ensure passenger safety and monitor vehicle movements. The system will enable authorities to take legal action against drivers and owners of vehicles exceeding the prescribed speed limits, he said. On the proposed second Jamuna Bridge, the minister told Parliament, in reply to Jamalpur-3 MP Md Mostafizur Rahman Babul, that the process of appointing a consultant to conduct a feasibility study is underway. Negotiations with the selected consulting firm have already been completed and the agreement is expected to be signed soon, he said. The minister said three possible alignments are under consideration: from Sariakandi in Bogura to Madarganj in Jamalpur, from Balashi in Gaibandha to Dewanganj in Jamalpur, or another suitable corridor. Responding to reserved seat MP Selina Sultana on battery-powered rickshaws, Rabiul Alam said the government is preparing regulations requiring the vehicles to operate on local feeder roads instead of highways, making registration compulsory, requiring drivers to hold licences and introducing strict route control for three-wheelers and similar vehicles. Meanwhile, replying to reserved seat MP Nipun Roy Chowdhury, the minister said Bangladesh Railway, with technical support from BUET, has launched a pilot project to install automatic barriers at three separate level crossings in Dhaka. Based on the results, similar systems will be introduced at all important authorised level crossings. The government also plans to install cameras and smart gate systems at major level crossings in the future, he added.

Railways Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam on Monday told Parliament that the government has no immediate plan to establish a metro rail or monorail link between Dhaka and neighbouring Narsingdi to improve connectivity. Replying to a starred question from BNP MP Khairul Kabir Khokon (Narsingdi-1), the minister said there is currently no proposal to introduce either a metro rail or monorail service connecting Narsingdi with the capital. Dhaka's Mass Rapid Transit system is more popularly known as the 'metro rail'. However, he said the revised Final Report on Updating the Revised Strategic Transport Plan (URSTP) includes a long-term proposal to extend both MRT Line-1 and MRT Line-5 (Northern Route) to Purinda in Araihazar upazila of Narayanganj in the third phase of implementation. The minister said the network could later be extended further to Narsingdi. Shaikh Rabiul Alam also said that, in line with the current government's election manifesto pledge to introduce monorail services in Dhaka and other metropolitan cities, the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) has included a monorail feasibility assessment in its action plan to improve feeder transport services in the capital. He said a project proposal titled "Pre-Feasibility Study of Monorail Alignment Integration with Mass Transit Networks in Dhaka Metropolitan Region", prepared by the DTCA, is currently under review by the ministry. The minister added that no final decision has yet been taken on the implementation of a monorail system in Dhaka.