All mega projects are incomplete for more corruption. The motorists and commuters have been facing immense suffering due to delayed construction works of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Line-3 project that have battered the existing road and are causing severe traffic congestion. The project for an extended 20.5km rapid bus service for mass transport between Gazipur and Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport was taken up in November 2012 for completion by December 2016. The four-year project tenure has been extended to eight years, doubling the project cost from Tk 2,040 crore to Tk 4,268.3 crore. Until this November only 65% of work has been completed, though the government plans to open it in December 2022, ridiculous indeed.
Lingering of the construction works has led to damages of the roads in the area and vehicles stumble there resulting in accidents. Meanwhile, a 12km portion of the Dhaka-Gazipur Highway that stretches from Tongi Bridge to Joydevpur is considered very dangerous to travellers because of its dilapidated conditions. Battered roads cause serious damage to vehicles and increase fuel consumption. After the completion of the project, dedicated buses would be operated on two central lanes of the highway, while there would be four lanes for mixed traffic; two more lanes for slow-moving vehicles with footpaths on both sides. The service would start with 100 new buses, which would be able to transport 20,000 passengers per day. There would be a total of 25 stations on the corridor.
We want to say the authorities should expedite the construction works to get the full benefit of the special route and repair the adjacent roads for better communication. Every life matters and every moment is precise. We cannot afford the dilapidated roads for the expressway’s future benefits. Besides the construction of the expressway, we need to introduce a mass transport system and impose tax for unnecessary traffic of personal vehicles. The trend of cost overrun and extension of project completion time has allowed vested quarters to waste public money that needs to be checked.
The minister for roads and highway is seen busy with dead politics of the opposition. The government can stop worrying about politics for political change. But not to care for pubic sufferings is not wise.
