Road infrastructure investment in Bangladesh: environment under threat?

Abstract

Bangladesh's attempts to support and expand a road network are, relative to its wealth and agricultural land, far in excess of its Asian neighbours. The dubious grounds for such a policy are belied by its unsuitability from inadequate maintenance, significant environmental and social dis-benefits, namely the loss of scarce land through road construction which leads directly to increased poverty, and destruction of dwindling forest resources. In this paper the author argues that prominence given to road construction should be questioned, especially in view of the country's rich endowment of waterways and non-motorized forms of transport which are less environmentally destructive.