Dhaka’s Electric Bus Launch Delayed Amid Tender Controversy and Suspensions

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The much-anticipated rollout of Dhaka’s first fleet of electric buses has hit a roadblock. Originally scheduled to launch on the capital’s streets by January 15, the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) initiative has been delayed following sudden revisions to the procurement tender that have sparked allegations of favoritism.

The project, which involves an initial rollout of 100 electric buses, faced a setback after BRTC amended Clause 36 of the tender. The revision now requires bidding suppliers to have five years of experience in providing "electrical equipment," in addition to standard vehicle supply experience.

Contracting firms have raised concerns that this last-minute condition was tailored to benefit a specific company. However, BRTC Chairman Meer Ahmed Tariqul Omar dismissed these claims, stating the change was made to encourage wider competition and that the requirement should have been included in the original document. Following the oversight, two BRTC officials—a deputy general manager of planning and a procurement officer—were temporarily suspended on November 8.

Revised Deadlines and Procurement

Due to the tender overhaul, Pragoti Industries Limited and Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory (BMTF)—the two state-linked entities handling the import—issued a re-tender on November 10. The deadline for submitting bids has been pushed back to November 18.

The initiative is part of a larger government plan to procure 200 electric buses using the Direct Procurement Method (DPM). The Ministry of Finance has greenlit a Tk 8 billion (800 crore) loan at a 1 percent interest rate to fund the project, capping the cost of each bus and its associated charging infrastructure at Tk 40 million (4 crore).

Green Transit for the Capital

Once operational, the zero-emission buses will serve Dhaka and neighboring districts. Each air-conditioned vehicle will feature 21 seats and accommodate up to 65 passengers. A full charge, taking between 1.5 to 3 hours depending on the cabling used, will provide a maximum range of 220 kilometers.

To support the fleet, nine charging stations will be installed across the region, with Pragoti overseeing six locations including Motijheel, Gabtoli, Mirpur, Narayanganj, and Narsingdi. Despite the current administrative hurdles, officials maintain they are working to get the eco-friendly buses on the road as quickly as possible.