"The aim of the government should be to maximize the benefits from minimum resources, but, here the concept is completely reversed", Dr Mahabubul Bari, senior assistant manager, Transport for London, UK observed while delivering the keynote speech at the seminar organised by Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) at the National Press Club in the city.

The 20-year plan which was formulated to develop the transport system stresses the necessity of the five percent people, who are using car and occupy 50 percent of the road, he said.

"The contributions for private cars would stand at 31 percent by 2024 from 18 percent and the participation of public transport would drop to 21 percent from 34 percent, if the recommendations are implemented", Dr Bari observed.

Besides, he said there are huge inconsistencies between the research findings and recommendations and it would not be pro-people and cost effective.

"Of the 11 alternative options, the 1 (A) option was considered to be the best, though, finally, the committee recommended the number six option '2 (B)'", he added.

The 1 (A) recommends bus rapid transits (BRT) and 42 small roads projects, which was according to the experts the most effective option from economic, road safety and social points of view, he described.

But the committee advocates three elevated express way, each 29 km, two bypasses, 56 road projects and mixed modality vehicles, which will cost 2.3 billion US dollar.

However, though STP emphasised circular waterways, the proposed allocation was very little only 0.44 percent.

Dr Jubair Bin Alam, professor, civil engineering department, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) said currently Bangladesh is spending 1.5 percent of GDP for fossil fuel. If the STP plan is adopted, the country would have to pay 13 percent of the GDP, he added.

Bapa President Prof Muzaffer Ahmad said though crores of Tk have been spent, people were not provided with a synchronised and eco-friendly traffic system. The water transport has not been given due attention, he added.

Bapa General Secretary Mahidul Haque Khan regretted that the committee members should have been empathetic in their attitude, which they were not and made a plan which is not pro-people.

Deputy Secretary Tapan Kumar Nath and Dr Shamsur Rahman, member STP non-technical group, also spoke on the occasion.