Gazipur Journalists’ Forum Calls for Review of BRT Cancellation Decision

Bangla Press Desk:  The Dhaka-based Gazipur Journalists’ Forum has called for a reconsideration of the decision to cancel the Dhaka–Gazipur Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project and demanded that the reasons behind the move be made public. The organisation has also called for an investigation into any alleged irregularities or corruption in the project and action against those responsible.

According to the forum, a decision that disregards the interests of people in Gazipur and 18 districts connected by the road could hamper the development of the country’s transport system.

In a statement issued on Tuesday (October 20), forum president Faisal Alam and general secretary Rashedul Haque said residents of Gazipur and Uttara had endured traffic congestion and travel difficulties for 14 years because of the BRT project’s construction work. After such a prolonged period of hardship, the decision to cancel the project and demolish the infrastructure already built to construct a six-lane highway, with three lanes in each direction, has plunged them into fresh uncertainty.

The statement said the government must clearly explain why the project was cancelled, what reasoning lay behind the decision and whether the interests of any individual or group were involved.

If there were irregularities, corruption, planning flaws or wasteful expenditure in the project, those responsible must be identified through an impartial investigation, and the findings must be made public, the forum said.

It also questioned the rationale for abruptly cancelling the project and demolishing the completed infrastructure without first considering whether any shortcomings could be addressed through corrective measures.

The forum’s leaders expressed concern that demolishing the existing infrastructure and starting new construction could further worsen traffic congestion and public suffering along the road. In addition to residents of Gazipur and Uttara, passengers and goods transport serving 18 districts that use the route could also be affected.

They said the usability of the existing infrastructure, the cost of new construction and the effectiveness of alternative arrangements should be assessed before infrastructure built with public money is demolished.

The statement further noted that, after years of hardship, people expected an effective transport system that would reduce travel time and help ease traffic congestion. Any last-minute decision to change the project’s future should take due account of public interest, financial liabilities and the long-term impact on the country’s transport network.

The forum’s leaders urged the government to reconsider the cancellation of the BRT project and the demolition of its existing infrastructure, and to determine the next course of action through a transparent assessment.

They called for a swift, affordable and effective transport system, stressing that the 14 years of hardship endured by Gazipur residents and the travel needs of people in 18 districts must be given due priority.

BP/SP