The DCC, which owns the three bus terminals, was supposed to hand over the land after demolishing outdated structures and encroached space before renovation work began. The Roads and Highways Department is implementing the project.

The renovation will be done under the World Bank-financed Dhaka Urban Transport Project (DUTP). Abdul Monem Ltd (Bangladesh)-JPCC (China), a Bangladesh-China joint venture has been awarded the contract to complete the work at a cost of Tk47 crore.

But Abdul Monem Ltd. have alleged that they were yet to receive one- third land of Gabtoli and Sayedabad bus terminals from the DCC.

"We have nearly completed the renovation of Mohakhali terminal but delay in land hand over at Gabtoli and Sayedabad is holding us back, " said an official of Abdul Monem Ltd. He added that completion of work depended on receiving the land from the DCC.

The bus terminals at Sayedabad and Gabtoli are in a chaotic and disorganised state at present. Vehicles are parked haphazardly and passengers often board buses from the main road. Harassment by bus attendants is also a common complaint. Besides, passengers have to cross muddy and slippery paths to get on buses inside the terminal. The recent rains have worsened the situation and many people have to scurry for any available shelter during showers as the passenger sheds have not been completed.

Under the renovation plan each terminal will see some improved and some added facilities that include multiple terminal buildings, taxi stands, parking bay for buses, covered walkways, prayer rooms, police control rooms, two rest rooms, toilets, parking area for about 200 buses, passenger sheds, loading and unloading arrangement for 300 buses and ticket counters.

When asked about delay in handing over land, Abu Taleb, chief estate officer of the DCC told the Daily Star that the corporation should be able to sort out everything over the next week or so.

"The legal procedure for evicting encroachers at Sayedabad bus terminal caused the delay. We have already cleared some illegal structures from the Gabtoli bus terminal," added Abu Taleb.

The DCC had handed over the maintenance responsibility of the three bus terminals to two private operators Rora Enterprise and Diba Enterprise on three-year contracts in September 24 last year with a view to providing better security and cleanliness to passengers. But it terminated its contract with Rora in May as the company failed to honour its contractual obligations. Since then the DCC has been looking after the Sayedabad and Mohakhali terminals while Diba is maintaining Gabtoli.