The Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) on Tuesday strongly protested the government’s reported decision to scrap the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, describing it as a “black day” for sustainable, fuel-efficient and inclusive mass transit.
In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Prof Md Moslehuddin Hasan, BIP said it had learned from newspaper reports that the government had decided to cancel the BRT project and dissolve the agency responsible for its implementation.
The government has also reportedly decided to convert the entire BRT infrastructure into a six-lane highway, with three lanes in each direction.
Expressing “deep shock and sorrow”, BIP said the government had opted for what it described as the “latest and worst” option for the BRT project at the most recent Cabinet meeting.
The organisation noted that the decision was not announced during the regular post-meeting press briefing, raising concerns about transparency.
“This has created ample room for speculation that some of those involved in the decision are trying to conceal something,” the statement said.
BIP also alleged a conflict of interest in the decision-making process, arguing that the move would primarily benefit private vehicle users and the domestic and international construction lobby.
The planners’ body said the decision contradicted proposals outlined in the Gazipur Transport Master Plan (GTMP) and the Revised Strategic Transport Plan (RSTP) for Dhaka.
It also criticised the move for disregarding the expectations and travel needs of residents of Gazipur and Uttara.
who have endured hardships for 14 years because of the project’s construction work.
BIP called on the government to withdraw its decision to scrap the BRT project and establish a coordinated agency to manage BRT, Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and other related transport programmes.
The organisation also demanded a comprehensive BRT plan for Dhaka and other metropolitan cities across the country, urging authorities to abandon project-based decision-making on transport infrastructure in favour of a coordinated, plan-based approach.
It stressed that transport projects should be prioritised based on their ability to save time and money during implementation while serving the greatest number of people, including women, short-distance commuters, persons with disabilities and people with limited mobility.
BIP further called for the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) to be established as the lead agency for transport planning decisions across the Greater Dhaka region and placed directly under the Prime Minister’s Office.
The organisation said transport infrastructure decisions should prioritise long-term planning, public interest and the needs of commuters.