Green activists asked the authorities on Thursday to reintroduce zebra crossing on city roads and revoke 24 hours’ imprisonment to pedestrians for crossing a road avoiding foot over bridge.
They also called for withdrawing the decision that made it compulsory for the pedestrians to use the foot over bridge while crossing roads.
Speaking at a human chain formed by them the green activists termed the government decision as ‘undemocratic’.
The activists of Save Environment Movement formed human chain in front of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University to protest ‘the undemocratic decision.’
The government recently decided to imprison for 24 hours the pedestrians, who cross a road avoiding the foot over bridge, a press release of the organisation said.
Every city recognises the rights of the pedestrians, said the green activists. They said there was no reason why the city of Dhaka should be different in this regard.
They demanded restoration of the sidewalks and zebra crossings to the pedestrians of the capital city where people are left with no option but go to places on foot due to traffic jam, worsening by the day.
They demanded of the government to restore the pavements and zebra crossings and developing the facilities where they did not exist, giving due priority to the pedestrians.
They also urged for removing all kinds of obstacles from the footpath so that people feel encouraged to reach their destination by walking what, they said, will help reduce traffic congestion in the city.
Save Environment Movement chairman Abu Naser Khan, Loksangit Banchao Andolan chairman Abdul Quddus Bayati, Safe Development Foundation chairman Ibnul Sayed and WBB Trust national advocacy officer Maruf Rahman spoke on the occasion.
