Readers Respond
Here are some comments that came in response to Tuesday's The Daily Star report headlined “Metro rail stops at air force red signal”
Rahim Quashem
Does Bangladesh Air Force run the government or the government runs Bangladesh Air Force? Anonymous
The armed forces should have been consulted. I am very surprised that they were kept out of this. Jams
Relocation of air force and cantonment from the heart of the city is feasible and accepted option because Dhaka cannot afford any luxury to spare such a lucrative offer from JICA. Hasan
The old airport should be shut down and relocated. You cannot have an airbase in the middle of the city. The metro needs to go on. PM needs to show leadership here and reject air force concerns. Nasirullah Mridha
Who is mighty in our country? Air force or the elected government? When for public interest metro rail is about to be set up in city, how could air force meddle in the government's business? Frustrated
Someone explain to me, why do we need the old airport? And doesn't the air force already have an air base inside the cantonment? Ziauddin Ali Ahmed
As I have observed, no aircraft lands at that airport except some helicopters. So, helicopters do not need that long runway. And the air force already has an airport at Kurmitola. Rimon
If air force finds it obstructive, please extend the existing runway toward north. A runway is already there. Just renovate and make the northern portion usable. It will solve the problem. Rashid Chowdhury
It would be unfortunate for the people of Dhaka if the project does not materialise due to air force's objection. Hope all the parties will compromise and solve the problem amicably for the better interest of common people. Ameen Sayeed
Please shift the air force landing place out of the city limit. We do not need air force base as the supersonic jets go to the Bay of Bengal for practice. Move all army structure out of the city limit or make all the cantonment area accessible for public movement to ease traffic congestion. John Silver
All these experts had submitted a plan and got it approved from the cabinet that would leave the airport non-functional. If you ask a dentist to do a heart surgery, you can't expect more than this. Tejgaon airport needs to remain fully functional not only for emergency but also for carrying out disaster relief operations during the time of need. Tabassum Haque
I don't know why Bangladesh Army and air force authorities are creating unwanted barriers. We don't want to see the old airport and Dhaka cantonment inside Dhaka. Relocate these outside Dhaka and make us free from the unbearable traffic jam. We want to see metro rail within the shortest possible time. We sincerely hope that the current govt. would make plans for a few more routes during their tenure. Shubhro Ahmed
I believe, combat aircraft and military transport aircraft do not need the length of a jumbo jet's runway. With the expansion of Dhaka city, air force base is now right in the middle of the city, something that is not good for the security of the air force. Considering all pros and cons let us try to accommodate things for the country's development's sake.
Does Bangladesh Air Force run the government or the government runs Bangladesh Air Force? Anonymous
The armed forces should have been consulted. I am very surprised that they were kept out of this. Jams
Relocation of air force and cantonment from the heart of the city is feasible and accepted option because Dhaka cannot afford any luxury to spare such a lucrative offer from JICA. Hasan
The old airport should be shut down and relocated. You cannot have an airbase in the middle of the city. The metro needs to go on. PM needs to show leadership here and reject air force concerns. Nasirullah Mridha
Who is mighty in our country? Air force or the elected government? When for public interest metro rail is about to be set up in city, how could air force meddle in the government's business? Frustrated
Someone explain to me, why do we need the old airport? And doesn't the air force already have an air base inside the cantonment? Ziauddin Ali Ahmed
As I have observed, no aircraft lands at that airport except some helicopters. So, helicopters do not need that long runway. And the air force already has an airport at Kurmitola. Rimon
If air force finds it obstructive, please extend the existing runway toward north. A runway is already there. Just renovate and make the northern portion usable. It will solve the problem. Rashid Chowdhury
It would be unfortunate for the people of Dhaka if the project does not materialise due to air force's objection. Hope all the parties will compromise and solve the problem amicably for the better interest of common people. Ameen Sayeed
Please shift the air force landing place out of the city limit. We do not need air force base as the supersonic jets go to the Bay of Bengal for practice. Move all army structure out of the city limit or make all the cantonment area accessible for public movement to ease traffic congestion. John Silver
All these experts had submitted a plan and got it approved from the cabinet that would leave the airport non-functional. If you ask a dentist to do a heart surgery, you can't expect more than this. Tejgaon airport needs to remain fully functional not only for emergency but also for carrying out disaster relief operations during the time of need. Tabassum Haque
I don't know why Bangladesh Army and air force authorities are creating unwanted barriers. We don't want to see the old airport and Dhaka cantonment inside Dhaka. Relocate these outside Dhaka and make us free from the unbearable traffic jam. We want to see metro rail within the shortest possible time. We sincerely hope that the current govt. would make plans for a few more routes during their tenure. Shubhro Ahmed
I believe, combat aircraft and military transport aircraft do not need the length of a jumbo jet's runway. With the expansion of Dhaka city, air force base is now right in the middle of the city, something that is not good for the security of the air force. Considering all pros and cons let us try to accommodate things for the country's development's sake.
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