Dhaka's mayors have expressed their utter dismay at no headway yet in the process of bus route rationalisation (BRR) even after a lapse of five long years.
They said only two of the decisions made by a special committee, with Dhaka south city corporation (DSCC) mayor Sayeed Khokon as convener, during its past 11 meetings were executed.
"We cannot show any progress since 2015 as the effort still remains in its initial stage," said new DSCC mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh at the 12th meeting.
Briefing journalists at Nagar Bhaban on Tuesday, he said the meeting elaborately discussed the issues of why those were not executed and who were responsible.
Mr Taposh, who convened the meeting for the first time since his taking the DSCC office, said they have to start from the beginning with a new work plan.
Dhaka north city corporation mayor Atiqul Islam, joint convener of the 12-member committee, asserted to introduce a company-based bus service in Dhaka city to ease traffic jam.
Local government division in a gazette notification on September 09, 2018, constituted the special committee to work on the BRR for forming six companies to regulate city bus services.
The committee's formation was linked with a countrywide student movement after the death of two students on airport road in August 2018.
But the notification guided the committee to work based on the concept of the late DNCC mayor, Annisul Huq.
Mr Huq, who died in December 2017, made the move to introduce more than 3,000 buses on six routes under the company in 2015.
Mayor Taposh said Tuesday's meeting discussed some progress only in a proposed feasibility study on BRR and depot terminal site selection as the consultant concerned has placed an inception report.
The next meeting on November 10 would be able to give a practical work plan, he hoped.
Replying to queries, Mr Taposh said more routes were introduced despite a restriction was imposed by the committee.
smunima@yahoo.com