What's new

Muhith to sit with armed forces to resolve metro rail site dispute

integra

SENIOR MEMBER
Dec 27, 2009
2,287
0
1,332
Country
Bangladesh
Location
Bangladesh
Finance Minister AMA Muhith will sit with top army and air-force officers next week in an effort to convince the defence forces to hand over land for a proposed metro rail in the city, officials said Tuesday.

The move comes after delay by the forces to give up land for the rail has cast a shadow over the fate of the capital's first mass rapid transport project, with its Japanese financier prodding for a quick resolution of the land row.

Officials said the Army has refused to give up around 30 acres of land at Pallabi where the US$1.7 billion metro rail will have its depot, or starting point, while the Air Force protested building the rail near Old Airport.

"We have tried hard to convince the forces to speed up necessary clearance for the project. But they have refused to hand over land or give permission, citing security reasons," said a senior communications ministry official.

"Following our request, the finance minister will now sit with top armed forces officers to resolve the dispute. We hope he can persuade them. We need the clearance quickly to secure fund from Japan," he added.

When contacted, a senior officer said the Bangladesh Army has objected to the proposed site of the depot because it is located at the heart of Dhaka Cantonment's major educational institutions.

"We have requested the communications ministry to shift the depot to further north. If the depot is built at the proposed location, it will hamper environment at our key educational institutions," he said.

"We will place our recommendations to the finance minister for the adjustment of the planned depot. Let's see what the meeting decides," said the officer, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The Air Force pointed out the metro rail would further "squeeze the standard take-off and landing space" for its jets at its main base in the capital's Old Airport area.

"At least 500 yards of extra land is necessary for smooth take-off and landing of Air Force jets and the height clearance must be 50 yards from the ground," said another officer.

Last year a study commissioned by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has found that some 30 acres of land owned by the Army at Pallabi is needed to construct the depot of the rail.

Two other government agencies ---Water Development Board and Rajdhani Unnayan Kartipakkhya --- which own 10 acres of land at the spot, have already assured the authorities of handing over the land within months.

In February, the finance minister met with officers of the Army, the Air Force and officials of other government agencies to discuss the land and other clearance-related issues.

Officials said since the meeting, Dhaka Transport Coordination Board (DTCB), the coordinating agency of the project, have made several attempts to persuade the armed forces to hand over land for the project.

"But so far it has not been possible to settle the issue. The failure has disappointed the project's potential Japanese financing agency," said a senior official.

He said the ministry has time-bound commitment to JICA -- - a Japanese government aid agency --- to finalise land acquisition for the depot by May and secure route clearances by July.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has shown interest to finance the city's priciest mass transport project in February. Two JICA fact-finding missions have since visited the country in this connection.

After the agreement signed between a JICA fact-finding mission and the government, the cabinet led by prime minister Sheikh Hasina approved the route of the metro rail in March.

Ever since the JICA-funded feasibility study finalised the 21.5 kilometre metro rail route from Pallabi to Sayedabad, the project has faced one setback after another. But land issue proved to be the main stumbling block.

Apart from the depot site selection, the DTCB has to sort out conflicts with Dhaka Elevated Expressway and Jatrabari Flyover as parts of the conditions to secure JICA loan.

The rail also faces clashes with entry and exit points of an under-implemented elevated expressway at Farmgate and Sonargaon.
 
Things might get messy in the not so distant future.
Quite a dilemma, should people sell their property
or hope for the army to hand over 30 acre.
Confusing.
 
I don't understand why the military just has to have so much land.

Been to Savar recently (an army area). Nothing but trees over there.

Dacca is already very crowded :undecided:
 
Cantonment is the only place where there is some semblance of order and beauty and caring for the environment.

Land sharks are eyeing to make it congested and full of squalor!!

Build satellite towns around Dacca.
 

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Total: 1, Members: 0, Guests: 1)


Pakistan Defence Latest Posts

Back
Top Bottom