The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project between Gazipur and Dhaka airport, which was initiated 10 years ago, has already had its deadline extended twice with the latest one set for December this year.
But there is doubt about the authorities finishing their work in time as there are still some issues that plague the project.
The 12-kilometre road from Dhaka’s Abdullahpur to Chandana Chowrasta in Gazipur is under this Bus Rapid Transit project, and it still takes several hours to cross this stretch. People’s suffering especially increases when heading home for Eid.
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) greenlighted the project at a cost of Tk2,040 crore in 2012 and it was supposed to conclude in 2016. The deadline was later extended to December 2018 while the cost more than doubled and shot up to Tk4,264.82 crore.
Project officials said some problems still exist, and it will be difficult to meet the current deadline if they are not addressed.
Photo taken recently shows workers working on the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project between Gazipur and Dhaka airport Dhaka TribuneThis correspondent during a recent visit to the area saw that the pillars of the flyover are being constructed anew between Tongi Station Road and Cherag Ali Bazar. Construction of flyovers and road carpeting work are still incomplete in many places.
As the construction work is going on, some parts of the highway only have two functional lanes. Consequently, vehicular movement on the route remains slow, causing traffic jams.
Abdul Qaiyum, an auto parts seller based in Tongi, said the completion of the project cannot come soon enough. “Dust and traffic jams on the road have caused us immense suffering for the last few years,” he added.
Ambulance driver Milon Sheikh, who uses the road frequently, said it takes three to four hours to go from Abdullahpur to Chandana Chowrasta.
Traffic tie-ups will only increase ahead of Eid, cautioned Gazipur Road Transport Workers Union President Sultan Ahmed.
Project progress, issues
Mohirul Islam, who is in charge of the bridge part of the project, said the overall progress of the project stands at 73% and bridge 65%.
The project will be completed by December, he said, but hedged his assurance by adding: “Some new problems have cropped up. Individuals and organizations have set up garbage dumps occupying both sides of the road. There are cables of the Power Division over Ahsan Ullah Master Flyover, and the division said it would cost a hefty sum to remove them. Covered vans are parked at several places on the highway. Although it was supposed to be for a short time, they have now turned into regular stands.”
Mohirul continued: “There are many shops as well. It is not the Roads and Highways Department’s responsibility to evict them. The offices concerned have been contacted again and again, but they just play for time. Moreover, police sometimes tell contractors to stop work and resume at night because of ‘VIP movements’.
“The Dhaka North City Corporation has set up a garbage dump near the House Building intersection. It has been asked 14 times to clear the place, but there is no response. How can the work progress if things continue like this?”
DNCC Supervising Engineer SM Shofikur Rahman said he has received two letters on the issue, not 14. “There is also an earthquake project underway alongside the garbage dump. It will be removed within the next 10 days.”
ASM Ilias Shah, director of the BRT project, said the work pace has been increased considering home-goers' Eid journey. “I hope the road will be fully operational before that.”
Gazipur Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner (Traffic) Abdullah Al Mamun said some 60,000 vehicles ply the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway every day, citing a survey.
The BRT authorities have been asked to open roads to traffic with dividers wherever possible, he said. “The passenger pressure was low last year due to Covid-19, but it will increase this time around, which is why we are taking extra precautions.”
Mamun also dismissed the claim of there being permanent covered van stands beside the road.
The traffic congestion problem will be reduced a lot if the BRT authorities work through coordination by informing the Traffic Division instead of closing down the road for work without notice, said the senior police officer.
