Weather | Dhaka THE prime minister's announcement to establish elevated and underground trains is a welcome move, if only to solve the city's ever-worsening traffic tangle. However, as she has put forward both the ideas of elevated expressway and the underground rail in the same breath, the question that now arises is which of the systems would get the first priority. For both the projects are ambitious and would involve astronomical costs. So, it would be first necessary to choose between them and then take steps for its implementation on priority basis.
Since either of the projects falls under the category of mega projects, a word of caution would not be out of place here. For in most cases here or in other parts of the underdeveloped world, there are experiences of many such projects, which are often promoted by big companies and their local agents, becoming white elephants. So, a comprehensive feasibility study should be undertaken before going for such mega transport projects. At the same time, it would also be necessary to gather experience from neighbouring countries, such as Kolkata of West Bengal in India and Bangkok in Thailand where metro-rail and sky train systems have already been introduced.
Moreover, comparison of the soil conditions of theses cities with that of Dhaka would help determine Dhaka's prospect for the elevated expressway or the metro-rail in particular, in a better way. So, it will be absolute imperative that these steps are taken by the implementation agencies concerned before any of the projects get the go ahead signal.
Since the above projects are long-term, time-taking ones, short-term measures like construction of more flyovers and setting up of circular roads and orbital waterways, should be undertaken with priority to address the city's urgent problems, before going for the larger mass transit projects.
Anyway, apart from its promise of addressing the traffic woes, such system of mass transit does also hold a promise to give the city a more modernistic look. So, considering from both the angles, the introduction of a modern mass transit system in the city has been long overdue.
While appreciating such a radical idea to improve and modernise Dhaka's communications network, we would again stress with a note of caution about the risks that the suggested mega-projects involve. Prospect of long-term viability and sustainability of such projects will remain a big issue, for ideally, the envisaged projects should last for about a hundred years. Last but not least, we would like to remind the authorities concerned the old adage: look before you leap. In fact, it is always advisable to have a rethink, before rushing to any decision.
Share on
Today's Paper
the electronic copy of the print edition with the power of web!
- advertisement
Building a profile lets you access all the services
profile
RSS Feed updates you with the latest news
Rss
Listen to latest news and interviews
Podcast
Subscribe and get latest updates in your inbox
News Mail
Share videos and images you have witnessed and captured
Witness
Give us your story ideas
Story Idea
Friday, October 30, 2009 03:04 AM GMT+06:00 (4 weeks ago)
We the common people should not be misguided by few ministers talking about mega projects to address Mega city's trafic problem. They neither have the capacity nor have any committment to implement any one of those what they were talking for political stant. Government should do what is possible, implementable and shortest possible time is to move Kamalapur Rail Station to Tongi and use that rail line for two way trafic of fast mono rail. This will solve 50 percent of Dhaka's trafic problem.
Best Regards.
Friday, October 30, 2009 03:24 AM GMT+06:00 (4 weeks ago)
This editorial is unnecessary. Because BD cannot go on looking and thinking for more than half a century to introduce effective roads, highways and Mass transit systems.
PMs promises are also unwanted. Because we have been hearing such promises for decades. There is nothing new. All verbosities, talks, promises and nothing in actual. That;s what is BD.
Friday, October 30, 2009 05:13 AM GMT+06:00 (4 weeks ago)
Have we not heard the promises of mega projects in the past? Deja-vu - sounds like the Bangladeshi people are being taken fo a ride. Please forgive the pun.
Friday, October 30, 2009 05:16 AM GMT+06:00 (4 weeks ago)
Mega projects for Dhaka. What about the other cities in Bangladesh?
Friday, October 30, 2009 08:36 AM GMT+06:00 (4 weeks ago)
The Daily Star has to be commended for a most balanced view on the subject of Dhaka city's traffic woes. It is enormously important not to 'rush' to conclusion. As rightly pointed out, 'experience of other cities' is enormously important, 'priority' has to be established, Dhaka's 'soil conditions' need to be studied, and the possible investment decision has to be arrived at after a comprehensive feasility study which would determine the proposed solution's technical and economic/financial viability. Although Bdesh has the necessary expertise, what is lacking is perhaps a strong organization, adequately empowered. The Prime Minister or other Minister's are sincere in their desire to help solve problem. What is important is for a professional body to brief the P.M. and the concerned political leaders as to what strong and effective decisions, which would inevitably affect the vested interests, will have to be ruthlessly implemented.These measures will affect the law makers, top 'amlas' and people with vested interests. On the other hand, time is right in that the government has a strong majority in the parliament, its popularity still in tact and it has the best of intentions. Of all the measures to be taken, two by far the most important, sine quo non, are: (i) non-transport solution -by way of decentralization of economic activities to outside of Dhaka, thereby atrracting back the unemployed out Dhaka, shifting lot of processing industries out of Dhaka, through incentive but forcefully, and (ii) through pricing mechanism, by getting the road user paying the cost/price for the use of road facility, for inflicting health injury through noise and air pollution, time delay, and being a nuisance to the general public. There are many other measures and Bdesh experts know them. Dhaka's traffic problem looks monumental and insurmountable but rest assured it is not insoluble. The P.M. will have to have iron will, then Bdeshis will overcome the traffic menace, Insha Allah. Perhpas, I will shortly be writing a paper, elaborating the problems, issues and possible solutions for kind consideration of the P.M. and the concerned authorities. DAR, Transport Economist, formerly of the World Bank, I.D.B. and, recently, of ADB.
Friday, October 30, 2009 11:32 AM GMT+06:00 (4 weeks ago)
I hope a modern plan for the whole city and the neighboring cities should be implemented. Our government should consider NYC subway that was made long ago and will still be there for hundreds more years. I hope our Hon'ble PM will think of planning the whole Dhaka city in such a way that it would look like a capital city of a developed country. Because one day we will be a developed country. Regardless the time frame we should think and go for it. Bring every inch of the city as well as the whole country under the plan, part by part-step by step. Does not matter if the whole plan ends in 50 years, but we have to do it.
Metro rain or elevated rail should be into the plan for the country.
Friday, October 30, 2009 01:28 PM GMT+06:00 (4 weeks ago)
If the PM or whoever has to think, re-think or re-re-think for every project or mega project, I don't know when and how the govt. will get down to work. We must then have patience and stop criticizing the govt. for traffic jams.