Metro rail transit
It is good to hear the prime minister clarify the confusions regarding the reservation of the air force with regards to re-routing of the metro rail. One wonders why it took so long to reveal the information? Unfortunately, the other half of the story remains untold; and I am drawing your attention to probe further into the issue to make the readers aware of the various interests that may shape the future of Dhaka city dwellers for good or for worse.
Everyone knows that a new road running by one's property will increase the value of that property more than others. All these years, a privileged few with prior information have gained in the process. Why would it be different in case of the rail transit? Did anyone try to check the relative price increases in properties that are close to the metro rail stations, compared to those which fail to benefit in commercial terms?
It is good to know that the proposal is under review; and there may be rationale to keep the open space free. But the critical question of the taxpayers and indebted citizens of this country is: are we going to raise revenue from the property owners who gain from the routing of metro rail transit in order to pay for part of the expenses? Or, do such individual gains get distributed in the form of informal deals?
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