Speedy bus, metro rail to ease traffic jam
Recommends donor-funded project
Staff Correspondent
A donor-funded Strategic Transport Planning (STP) project in a draft report has recommended introducing speedy bus and underground metro rail services to solve the increasing traffic congestion in the capital.The report also recommended introduction of multi-modal transport system, development of major roads and subways, and removal of rickshaws from city thoroughfares. The draft report was presented at a meeting of the advisory council of the project at the communications ministry yesterday. "The recommendations were made in view of next 20 years' situation as it won't be possible then to provide surface space for a huge number of vehicles," said Prof Jamilur Reza Chowdhury, chief of the advisory council. He emphasised the need for immediate implementation of the recommendations. The committee also recommended constructing underground rail through the tunnel boring system instead of cut-and-paste one to avoid public sufferings. The STP project was taken in 2002 with the assistance of donors to seek a permanent solution to the traffic congestion in the city. The committee also recommended setting up an Aricha-Maowa by-pass on the western side of the city and another on the eastern side. Committee leader David H Jerrett presented the draft, which also suggested introducing a permanent transport system for Dhaka instead of development on ad hoc basis. Communications Minister Nazmul Huda while commenting on the report said implementation of its recommendations will take much time. He however said if implemented, the underground rail will also link the neighbouring districts like Narayanganj, Manikganj, Narsingdi, Munsiganj and Gazipur. The minister said the government is also planning to introduce the metro rail system connecting those districts. Communication ministry sources said over $3.5 billion is required to implement the STP project recommendations. Major donors like the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Japan Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC) have already assured the government of financing the project, the sources added. State Minister for Communications Salahuddin Ahmed, Communications Secretary Shafiqul Islam, among others, were present.
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