Bangladesh - The Purbottar

23 Jul

Bangladesh Launches Satellite-Based Crop Monitoring Program to Fight Food Insecurity

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Bangladesh has rolled out a satellite-driven crop monitoring system, enabling real-time tracking of rice, jute, and wheat yields across all divisions. Developed in partnership with JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) and BARI, the system aims to improve food security and reduce import dependency. Farmers will receive harvest forecasts and pest alerts via mobile apps. The Agriculture Ministry believes this will help smallholders improve output and protect against climate shocks. The model is being watched by West Bengal and Bihar, which face similar agrarian challenges. India’s Ministry of Agriculture has expressed interest in data-sharing agreements, especially for border districts reliant on…

22 Jul

Bangladesh Launches Smart Flood Forecasting System with European Aid

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Bangladesh has launched a nationwide flood prediction system, integrating satellite data, river sensors, and AI modelling. Developed with support from the European Union and the World Bank, the system offers 5-day forecasts across major river basins, including the Padma, Brahmaputra, and Meghna. Authorities say the system will reduce disaster losses by enabling earlier evacuations and smarter dam operations. The launch comes as extreme rainfall patterns are hitting South Asia more frequently due to climate change. The system could inspire similar adoption in Indian flood-prone states like Assam, Bihar, and West Bengal, where monsoon-related displacements are rising sharply.

18 Jul

Bangladesh Breaks Ground on Asia’s Largest Solar-Cooling Data Center

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Bangladesh has begun construction of what will be Asia’s largest solar-cooled data center in Mymensingh, in partnership with Chinese and German firms. The center will house servers for government e-services, banks, and telecom providers, and will run on 80% solar energy. The $220 million facility is also designed to be flood-resilient and climate adaptive. Officials say it will create over 1,500 skilled IT jobs, offering a digital infrastructure boost to the entire South Asian region. This project aligns with India’s own push toward sustainable data parks in Kerala and Gujarat, promoting cross-border green tech diplomacy.

12 Jul

Bangladesh Expands Metro Rail Network to Ease Dhaka Traffic

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Bangladesh has officially greenlit Phase II of the Dhaka Metro Rail project, which includes three new lines extending into surrounding districts. The expansion aims to decongest one of the world's most traffic-heavy capitals. The Japan-funded initiative will connect economic hubs like Narayanganj and Savar, reducing travel time by over 60% during peak hours. Construction is expected to begin by the end of 2025. For readers in West Bengal and Northeast India, Dhaka’s transformation could serve as a model for Kolkata and Guwahati’s own metro expansion plans. Cross-border cooperation on urban transport policy is also being explored.

09 Jul

Bangladesh Expands Metro Rail Network in Dhaka

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka has inaugurated the extension of its Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Line-6, connecting Motijheel to Kamalapur. This extension is expected to serve more than 60,000 daily commuters and reduce traffic congestion significantly. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina emphasized the importance of modern urban infrastructure in keeping pace with economic growth. The project is part of a broader plan to build five metro lines across Dhaka by 2030, funded in part by Japanese assistance. Given Dhaka’s demographic and urban challenges, Indian cities such as Kolkata and Guwahati—which face similar congestion issues—may draw valuable insights from Bangladesh’s metro rail planning.

03 Jul

Bangladesh Records Surge in Organic Tea Exports

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Bangladesh's organic tea industry has reported a 35% year-on-year export growth, primarily to Germany, the UK, and Scandinavian nations. The Bangladesh Tea Board attributes this success to increased global demand for pesticide-free and sustainably farmed products. Farmers in Panchagarh and Sylhet are now being trained in organic methods, supported by NGOs and international fair-trade bodies. Exporters say this is boosting earnings and employment for women and youth in rural areas. With India's northeast and parts of Nepal having similar growing conditions, this success could be replicated in neighboring regions keen to tap into green global markets.

28 Jun

Digital Tools Aim to Transform Coastal Agriculture

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

The Government of Bangladesh has launched a Smart Farming initiative in Khulna to support coastal farmers facing climate disruptions. Using IoT sensors, mobile apps, and weather alerts, the project helps farmers manage water, fertilizer, and pest control more efficiently. The pilot involves 2,000 farmers growing shrimp and rice in flood-prone areas. Experts from BRAC and Japan’s JICA are collaborating on the project. The technology could be scaled across low-lying regions in India and Nepal. Similar programs are already being tested in Assam and Bihar, creating opportunities for cross-border agri-tech cooperation.

26 Jun

Dhaka’s Northern Expansion Gains Momentum With New MRT Corridor

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Dhaka’s growing metro system has taken another leap with the launch of construction on MRT Line-5 (Northern Route), a 20-kilometre corridor set to connect Hemayetpur to Bhatara. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is providing technical and financial support. Officials say the project will cut travel time across northern Dhaka from 2 hours to 35 minutes and reduce carbon emissions by 250,000 tonnes annually. Over 10,000 new jobs will be created during the construction phase. Indian urban planners and policymakers are viewing this as a regional example of transit-led development. With similar projects underway in cities like Siliguri and Guwahati,…

09 Jun

Matarbari Port Expected to Transform Bay of Bengal Trade

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Bangladesh has inaugurated its first deep-sea port at Matarbari in Cox’s Bazar, a $4.5 billion project funded through Japanese investment and national infrastructure bonds. Capable of handling the world’s largest cargo ships, the port is expected to reduce reliance on Chittagong and ease pressure on inland transport. It will serve as a vital hub for regional trade, connecting India’s Northeast, Bhutan, and Nepal to global shipping routes. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called it “a landmark in our economic history.” The port is projected to boost Bangladesh’s GDP by at least 2% over the next five years. Indian, Bhutanese, and Nepalese…

06 Jun

Bangladesh Launches Electric Bus Fleet in Dhaka

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Bangladesh has introduced its first fleet of electric buses in Dhaka, marking a significant step toward sustainable urban transportation. Developed in collaboration with South Korean and Chinese partners, the electric buses aim to reduce air pollution and modernize the city's public transport system. The new buses offer silent operation, zero tailpipe emissions, and are equipped with advanced ticketing and security systems. The initiative is part of a broader plan to deploy 500 electric buses over the next two years, improving air quality and commuter experience. Neighboring countries like India and Nepal, facing similar urban pollution challenges, are observing Dhaka's transition…