Dhaka, Oct. 20 -- The Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) on Tuesday strongly protested the government's decision to "scrap the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project", describing it as a "black day" in the history of sustainable, fuel-efficient and inclusive mass transit.

In a statement signed by its General Secretary Prof Md Moslehuddin Hasan, the organisation said it learned from newspaper reports that the government has decided to cancel the BRT project and dissolve the agency concerned.

It has also reportedly decided to convert the entire BRT infrastructure into a 3+3 lane highway.

BIP expressed "deep shock and sorrow" at the decision, saying the government has chosen the "latest and worst" option for the BRT at the last cabinet meeti...