Mass transport options
Various types of city mass transport systems for Dhaka was described by the staff correspondent (Oct. 8) of a local English daily. These types are by any means a high-tech system. Maybe, it could be so for a technically undeveloped country like Bangladesh. Such modes of transport had been running in many countries for around half a century if not more! Naturally, it is being modified and upgraded periodically; which is done to all plants and equipment in any technically developed country.
Hi-tech refers to new innovations, inventions or patents that have only recently been put into service. High-tech is a super high speed mass transport system now under development in the USA combining maglev (a high-tech system) and vacuum technologies. This driver-less (train like) vehicle can reach speeds of 6500km./hour! That will be a real high-tech transport system; coming from existing technologies based on proven principles of physics; but modified beyond imagination.
Between the three options described in the report (elevated expressway, underground electric trains and monorail); personally I prefer monorail; which is the cheapest of the three options.
Also it is more flexible in types of traction option(can run on diesel, LNG or LPG as fuel), and is environment friendly through natural airflow ventilation and easier to operate with no chance of derailment!
For underground railway, large amount of dedicated (with 100percent redundancy) fool proof high voltage power for train traction and also low voltage for continuous underground shaft ventilation and lighting are needed (all essential); with no option for power failure or load shedding! The prospect of derailment is also present. Given our power sector's performance till date, our record is probably second to none in this world, we should think twice before adopting any plan.
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