Experts have called for a review of the government's decision to cancel the Dhaka-Gazipur Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. They have described the scrapping of the project as 'suicidal', noting that nearly 97 percent of the infrastructure had been completed without the bus service ever being launched. There are also demands for a thorough investigation and the publication of a white paper on the matter.

Context of the Cancellation

The BRT project was undertaken to alleviate chronic traffic congestion on the Dhaka-Gazipur corridor, involving a massive investment of public funds. After years of construction, the infrastructure was almost fully complete, yet the service was never operationalized. The recent government decision to cancel the project has drawn sharp criticism and concern from transport experts.

Experts' Reaction

Experts argue that scrapping a project built with such a substantial amount of public money is deeply regrettable. They contend that the cancellation, without utilizing the completed infrastructure, undermines public interest. They are urging the authorities to reconsider the decision and conduct a full inquiry into the rationale behind it. Additionally, there is a call for a white paper to be published detailing the project's status and the reasons for its termination.

The Way Forward

A section of experts believes that alternative plans should be swiftly implemented to make use of the existing infrastructure. Otherwise, the costly construction will become completely defunct. They have appealed to the relevant authorities to re-evaluate the project's viability and explore all possible options before finalizing the cancellation.