A flyover becomes a thorn for BRT
We are baffled and disappointed to know that the much-hyped Bus Rapid Transit route that was supposed to cover 22 km of road and relieve much of the traffic congestion of Dhaka city will actually cover only a 10 km stretch. What's more, even this much curtailed goal will not be accomplished before 2024. And the reason why we are getting only half our dreams come true (if they do at all) is that a number of arbitrarily built flyovers are blocking the BRT proposed routes.
This dismal situation is directly the result of poor planning and disregard for expert advice regarding the location of these flyovers. Despite repeated warnings from experts the Mohakhali-Mouchak flyover was built, even though it was clear that it would block the BRT route. Why, when a committee led by technical experts, recommended dedicated lanes on the Moghbazar-Mouchak flyover for BRT, the LGED ministry, the implementing authority to build the flyover, completely ignored their advice? Instead, the flyover was extended time and again, further blocking the proposed BRT route.
It is beyond comprehension that the concerned ministry would prioritise car-oriented flyovers over a mass transport facility that would have provided transport to thousands of people, largely easing the traffic congestions we experience due to too many cars on the road. The BRT solution would have provided affordable, comfortable, safe transport to the people—if it could be fully implemented. Cutting the route by half will actually cause more problems for travellers as they will have to get off where the BRT route ends and look for another mode of transport to get to their destination. How does this make sense?
This rather costly lesson should awaken the concerned ministry to the fact that uncoordinated, unplanned projects are destined to cause irreparable damage, in this case a halved, much needed BRT route. For the future, we urge the authorities to please, listen to the experts.
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