Mega Transport Project
Finally after 37 years of independence, 15 years of democracy, the caretaker government launched a long-term mega project to establish an environment-friendly traffic management system in greater Dhaka to relieve people of the nagging traffic congestion. Though it will be a 20-year plan, still it is a well-come move by the government and we all hope that the project has been planned taking into consideration the future growth (after 50 years) of the city.
Going through the details of the project in the newspapers, I have a little doubt about the implementation of the of waterway as it is slow and often doesn't have enough water for smooth navigation of medium to big size vessels or steamers, especially during the dry season. Metro train services (MTR), elevated motorways, construction of roads connecting the east & west of the capital, flyovers, footbridges and new roads, and repair of damaged thoroughfares are the main features of the plan. Though the pavements and parking lots are not mentioned in detail, we just hope the government has considered a safe walkway system and specious parking lots in the Mega plan.
Without wasting further time, the government departments should move forward immediately if the long-term plan is to succeed in a meaningful way by stopping all constructions on the planned roads so that after the 2nd or 3rd phase, the government doesn't have to stop the work for court injunctions as we understand that many privately owned lands will be acquired by the government for implementing this project.
Since this is the only major project taken by any government of Bangladesh, it is requested that they, if necessary, invite foreign city planners (Far East Asians) and experts, so that the maximum can be achieved with minimum expenses and sufferings of the people during the construction work. The construction work certainly will be the biggest/largest in the history of Bangladesh and it needs proper guidance and care.
Construction of 12 roads to have major advancement in the city's infrastructure and completion of three elevated motorways will be done in the second phase. However, we would like the roads to be wide (not less than 170 feet), so that the roads can have 4x4 traffic lanes and a 20 feet wide road divider (so that in the future flyovers can be made without too much of a problem) and footpaths of 20 feet width on both sides should be constructed.
Since this is the caretaker government approved project, we all hope that whoever comes to power next and in the remaining 15 years will not stop implementation of the project.
Comments