It is an all too familiar story. Planners, of which Bangladesh is possessed in quite impressive numbers in a wide range of areas, devise a solution to some intractable problem afflicting the lives of ordinary people. Approval, for all intents and purposes, is imminent. Some benevolent, usually foreign, donor has agreed to put up the money for the project. Contractors are ready, just waiting to snap up the bid and get to work. And then suddenly, out of nowhere, something unforeseen and basically impossible to foresee pops out of the woodwork, pouring the proverbial cold water over the best-laid plans.
The latest project to hit the inevitable bureaucratic snag is the proposed metro rail, a significant infrastructure project aimed at improving transport facilities in the capital Dhaka. Anyone who lives here, and even those who have been here long enough to experience the demoralising state of traffic in the city (half-a-day should suffice for that) knows how badly the city needs it. Once completed, the metro proposed to follow a route running from Uttara Phase-3 in the northern suburbs of Dhaka, and then down through Bijoy Sarani, touching Shahbagh on the way to the Bangladesh Bank area, and carry 50,000 passengers per hour at affordable rates. One can already sense the world of good it could do for us. Jica, the Japanese development agency, agreed to put up the funds for it- a hefty $1.7 billion. But wait. Things can’t go smoothly here in Bangladesh. It just wouldn’t be right. So in stepped the Bangladesh Air Force, who run the sprawling complex along Bijoy Sarani that contains the Tejgaon airfield. What’s the issue?
Apparently, the metro’s route was liable to “hinder” operation of the said airfield, which incidentally has not had any commercial large aircraft lift off from the tarmac in thirty years, ever since the other airport a bit further to the north was inaugurated. I can’t be sure what they’re calling it these days. I had two different airlines, upon touching down in Dhaka, inform me that we had landed at two different airports in the space of one week. But I digress.
The point is, the BAF’s objections are based on very feeble grounds. Prof Jamilur Reza Chowdhury, who knows a thing or two about engineering, has brushed off their concerns, as have others. BAF sources wishing to remain anonymous have poured cold water over some of the concerns aired by high officials. The whole thing has run on too long, and it’s time now to come to a settlement, before Jica take the money and go elsewhere. For Dhaka Courier, the case is cut and dry. For the sake of Dhaka, in this case, it has to be the airmen who back down. |