Bangladesh - The Purbottar

05 Jun

Dhaka’s New Fleet Aims for Sustainable Public Transportation

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

In a significant move towards sustainable urban transport, Bangladesh has launched its first fleet of electric buses in Dhaka. Developed in collaboration with South Korean and Chinese partners, these buses aim to reduce air pollution and modernize the city's public transportation system. The electric 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 closely. …

22 May

Dhaka Metro to Launch Smart Ticketing System by December

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Bangladesh is upgrading its urban transport with a smart ticketing system for the Dhaka Metro. The new system, based on Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, will allow passengers to pay digitally using mobile phones and smartcards. The Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) has partnered with a Japanese firm to develop the system. Trials begin in August, and full implementation is expected by December 2025. The initiative aims to ease congestion, reduce fare fraud, and encourage more people to use public transit. Indian and Nepalese urban planners have shown interest in similar models for metro projects in Kathmandu and Tier-2 Indian…

17 May

Bangladesh Launches First High-Speed Rail Project with Japan’s Help

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Bangladesh has signed a major agreement with Japan to build its first high-speed rail line between Dhaka and Chittagong. The bullet train, expected to be operational by 2030, will reduce travel time from 6 hours to just under 2. This $12 billion mega-infrastructure project is being funded through Japanese ODA and involves advanced rail technology transfer. Officials said it will revolutionize domestic travel and logistics. The development has sparked interest in neighboring India and Nepal, where cross-border rail connectivity remains a growing priority. This project could serve as a model for regional rail modernization.

13 May

Bangladesh Launches First Floating Solar Farm

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Bangladesh has inaugurated its first floating solar farm on Kaptai Lake in Rangamati. The 35 MW project was developed by a partnership between the government and a Singapore-based clean energy firm. The solar panels, mounted on buoyant platforms, will power over 15,000 rural homes and reduce carbon emissions by 45,000 tons annually. Officials say this is the first step toward turning lakes and reservoirs into power-generating zones. India and Nepal, with their own hydropower infrastructure, are studying the project as a potential hybrid model to combine solar and hydroelectricity for sustainable energy.

06 May

Bangladesh to Launch World’s Largest Floating Solar Power Plant

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Bangladesh is set to inaugurate the world’s largest floating solar power plant by 2024, which will significantly boost the country’s renewable energy capacity. The project, located on the Padma River, will have a capacity to generate 200 MW of electricity, enough to power over 200,000 homes. This ambitious move is part of Bangladesh's broader goal to increase its renewable energy capacity and reduce dependency on fossil fuels. Similar floating solar power initiatives are being considered in neighboring countries like India and Nepal, which have also been working to develop sustainable energy solutions.

30 Apr

Dhaka to Spotlight Green Innovation with Global Tech Expo This Fall

Sonakshi SarkarBangladesh

Bangladesh will host its first-ever International Climate Tech Expo in Dhaka this September, bringing together innovators, policymakers, and environmental experts from over 40 countries. The event will focus on climate-resilient technologies in agriculture, water, and energy. The Ministry of Environment says the expo will feature clean energy startups, green finance networks, and digital sustainability platforms. Key partners include UNDP and the World Bank. Nepal, Bhutan, and several Indian states have been invited to participate, aiming to showcase regional solutions and explore collaborative approaches to climate resilience in South Asia.

16 Apr

Digital Shops Empower Bangladeshi Women Amid Economic Shifts

Sonakshi SarkarBangladesh

In Bangladesh, a growing number of women are launching online businesses through social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. From fashion boutiques to home-based catering, the trend is reshaping traditional ideas of women’s work in urban Dhaka and beyond. The Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) reports that over 15,000 new women-led digital businesses were registered in the last 18 months. Platforms like Daraz and Evaly are also helping small female-run businesses reach wider audiences. Many of these women are homemakers, college students, or retired professionals who turned to digital entrepreneurship during the pandemic and continued as…

08 Apr

Bangladesh Approves First Satellite Internet License

Sonakshi SarkarBangladesh

Bangladesh’s Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has officially granted SpaceX’s Starlink the license to operate satellite-based internet services in the country. This approval will help bridge digital divides in rural and remote areas. The service, expected to go live in late 2025, promises high-speed internet in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, coastal areas, and northern border regions where connectivity has long been a challenge. The license also mandates a partnership with a local ISP to ensure affordable pricing and infrastructure sharing. This development could inspire similar satellite internet projects in Nepal’s mountainous regions and Bhutan’s remote valleys. Experts believe Starlink’s entry may…

19 Mar

International Scrutiny Intensifies on Bangladesh’s Human Rights Record

Sonakshi SarkarBangladesh

Bangladesh is under increasing international scrutiny following allegations of human rights violations by security forces. Reports suggest instances of torture, extrajudicial killings, and enforced disappearances. Human rights organizations are urging the Bangladeshi government to conduct thorough investigations and hold perpetrators accountable. The government, however, denies these allegations, asserting that security operations are conducted within legal frameworks. The situation has raised concerns among international observers about the state of democracy and rule of law in Bangladesh.

10 Mar

Rupna Chakma’s Stellar Performance Shines in SAFF Women’s Championship

Sonakshi SarkarBangladesh

The 2024 SAFF Women's Championship concluded on October 30, 2024, in Kathmandu, Nepal, with Bangladesh clinching the title after a thrilling 2–1 victory over the host nation. This win marks Bangladesh's second SAFF Women's Championship title, solidifying their position as a formidable force in South Asian women's football. The tournament featured seven teams, with matches held at the Dasharath Rangasala Stadium. Bangladesh's journey to the final showcased their tactical prowess and resilience, culminating in a hard-fought win against Nepal.