text: Naryanganj city is a bustling river port in Bangladesh, popular for regional and international trade. It is one of the densest cities in the country, with a population of 7 million people. As a hub for business and employment opportunity, it has drawn thousands of inhabitants and migrants over the years, which has resulted in inadequate housing, water pollution due to industrialization and lack of appropriate transportation.
  Funded by The Government of Bangladesh, SMEC has been engaged as part of a joint venture with ACE Consultants Ltd, BCL Associates Ltd, and Yooshin Engineering Corporation to deliver this comprehensive transport master plan for the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges.
  The SMEC team will work with Narayanganj City Corporation to:
  - Prepare and develop a comprehensive transport master plan
  - Prepare a pre-feasibility study of mass transit network
  - Prepare a conceptual design of multimodal hub
  Key areas for the master plan include:
  - Social – safety, rapidly and equality
  - Economic – affordable and efficient
  - Environmental – limit emissions of air pollution and GHGs, and minimise utilisation of land
  - Participation – involve all stakeholders within Narayanganj City Corporation Area
  This Comprehensive Transport Master Plan (CTMP) will be prepared to 2042, identifying priority issues such as improvement of mass transit system (buses and rail transportations), development of urban expressway and establishment of organization for implementation and maintenance/operation of the projects.
  Contract signing ceremony
  The event began with a welcome address by Project Director Mr. Md. Mizanur Rahman, highlighting the necessity of the project. Honourable Mayor of the Narayanganj City Corporation, Selina Hayat Ivy, has placed priority on this master plan, and the positive community impact that will follow.
  After an interactive commentary session where representatives from DTCA added their valuable comments, Dr. Janardhan Harish Sundaram of ACE Bangladesh emphasised that this project with be delivered with a ‘one team’ attitude to ensure the best possible outcome.
  To conclude, Honorable Executive Director Mr. Md. Zahid Hossain of the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority wished good luck to the consultants for the successful completion of the project.