STP, DAP need to be revised, say experts
Wednesday, 26 August 2009
FE Report
The government should revise programmes such as strategic transport plan (STP) and detailed area plan (DAP) before starting implementation works as these are favourable to car owners and not pro-people, experts said Tuesday.
The demand came at a roundtable discussion jointly organised by the Department of Urban and Regional Planning of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Paribesh Bachao Andolon (POBA) and Bangladesh Institute of Planners in the capital.
Transport expert Dr Mahbubul Bari said that the STP has recommended 30 per cent allocation to implement pro-private car projects although only five per cent people in the city own private cars.
He said 63 per cent of the proposed budget has been allocated for the underground rail system. "But the system will only cover eight per cent passengers. So these things should be taken into consideration before starting implementation works," he said.
The approved STP estimates the cost at US$5.2 billion, which is 237 times higher than the least costly method, Dr Bari added.
Transport planner Dr Rahmatullah said: "It is not mandatory that a city has to earmark 25 per cent of its land for roads for better transport."
"It depends on transport system. Many countries in the world have established sound transport system using a small number of roads," he said. Keynote presenter Sumon Kumar Mitra said private cars were provided preference in the STP from all aspects. "But this has neglected issues such as public transport and fuel efficient vehicles."
Speakers stressed the need for establishing a collective sustainable transport system in one of the fastest growing mega cities in the world, which houses around 15 million people in an area of 153.84 square kilometres.
They also recommended building surface rail network inside and developing a river transport system by dredging rivers and water-bodies around the city.
POBA chairman Abu Naser Khan also spoke on the occasion.
The government should revise programmes such as strategic transport plan (STP) and detailed area plan (DAP) before starting implementation works as these are favourable to car owners and not pro-people, experts said Tuesday.
The demand came at a roundtable discussion jointly organised by the Department of Urban and Regional Planning of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Paribesh Bachao Andolon (POBA) and Bangladesh Institute of Planners in the capital.
Transport expert Dr Mahbubul Bari said that the STP has recommended 30 per cent allocation to implement pro-private car projects although only five per cent people in the city own private cars.
He said 63 per cent of the proposed budget has been allocated for the underground rail system. "But the system will only cover eight per cent passengers. So these things should be taken into consideration before starting implementation works," he said.
The approved STP estimates the cost at US$5.2 billion, which is 237 times higher than the least costly method, Dr Bari added.
Transport planner Dr Rahmatullah said: "It is not mandatory that a city has to earmark 25 per cent of its land for roads for better transport."
"It depends on transport system. Many countries in the world have established sound transport system using a small number of roads," he said. Keynote presenter Sumon Kumar Mitra said private cars were provided preference in the STP from all aspects. "But this has neglected issues such as public transport and fuel efficient vehicles."
Speakers stressed the need for establishing a collective sustainable transport system in one of the fastest growing mega cities in the world, which houses around 15 million people in an area of 153.84 square kilometres.
They also recommended building surface rail network inside and developing a river transport system by dredging rivers and water-bodies around the city.
POBA chairman Abu Naser Khan also spoke on the occasion.