The Gazipur-Airport Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project has officially become a symbol of systemic failure in Bangladesh's infrastructure development. Following years of stagnation and ballooning costs, the interim government has finally decided to scrap the project, opting instead to convert the corridor into a standard highway. When the project was first approved in 2012, the estimated cost was approximately 2.04 billion BDT, with a completion deadline set for 2016. However, after three revisions, the cost surged to 4.26 billion BDT, and a fourth proposal for 6.59 billion BDT in 2025 was ultimately rejected.
The financial mismanagement surrounding this project is staggering. Despite spending over 2.81 billion BDT, not a single bus has been deployed on the route. The project was heavily reliant on foreign loans from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and French development agencies. Even with the project's cancellation, the state remains liable for the repayment of these loans, including interest, placing an unnecessary burden on the public exchequer.
Beyond the financial loss, the human cost of the project has been devastating. At least seven lives were lost due to unsafe construction practices. The most tragic incident occurred on August 15, 2022, when a massive girder collapsed in Uttara, killing five members of a single family. Despite repeated warnings regarding the lack of safety protocols and the negligence of the Chinese contractors, the authorities failed to implement necessary safeguards, leading to preventable tragedies.
Experts argue that blaming only political leadership for such failures is an incomplete assessment. The bureaucrats, consultants, and technical experts who conduct feasibility studies and oversee project implementation often remain in their positions regardless of political changes. Their lack of professional rigor and potential involvement in corrupt practices are critical factors that contribute to the failure of such massive undertakings.
Moving forward, the government must ensure strict transparency and accountability for all mega-projects. The BRT disaster serves as a grim reminder that without rigorous oversight and the elimination of bureaucratic negligence, public funds will continue to be squandered. It is imperative that the authorities investigate the systemic failures within this project and hold all responsible parties accountable to prevent such debacles in the future.
