Bangladesh, Oct. 30 -- The government's decision to scrap the country's first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project has surprised many. After 14 years of suffering for millions and spending around Tk 30 billion, abandonment of the costly project reflects a gross flaw in the country's development process. The government has also decided to convert the 20km corridor into a six-lane highway. Initiated in 2012 at a preliminary cost of Tk 20.40 billion, construction of the Dhaka-Gazipur BRT corridor, spanning from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Shibbari in Gazipur, remains incomplete. Fifteen kilometres of the corridor is at ground level, while the rest is elevated.

The basic idea behind introducing the BRT was to provide dedicated bus ...