Pedestrians who use footbridges to cross roads in areas under the two city corporations (south and north) in the capital run the risk of sustaining serious injuries. Elderly persons and children, in particular, are highly vulnerable. Either necessary maintenance work has not been carried out or the pace of repairs of the over-bridges is very slow. Some of the bridges have even become safe havens for pickpockets and also provide sanctuary to drug addicts. Hawkers of various kinds use them as temporary markets. Some of the footbridges are even filled with stinking garbage and are smeared with human faeces and urine.
The footbridges have a vital role in helping pedestrians cross busy roads safely at some important junctions in the city. But the authorities say they would carry out maintenance works as and when necessary.
With the rainy season having set in, it has become imperative to maintain the bridges properly.
Most of these footbridges, which are quite old, are in a very dilapidated condition. Some of the staircases have been greatly eroded. Any pedestrian who uses those steps runs the risk of sustaining grievous injuries.
The staircases of the RCC footbridges have been constructed with supporting iron handles to prevent rapid erosion. But many of those supporting iron handles have broken off or have been twisted or stolen, posing a great threat to pedestrians.
At present, the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has 33 over-bridges while the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has 45 over-bridges.
The footbridges at Farmgate, Gulshan, Scholastica, Shyamoli, Tikatuli, Dhanmondi 27 and Kamalapur are in an appalling condition due to the erosion of the staircases.
City residents are irked by the inaction and apathy of the authorities, who have not taken steps from time to time for repairing the eroded staircases or broken footbridges. They pointed out that these infrastructures are no longer safe and convenient.
Many pedestrians are reluctant to use the footbridges to cross the busy roads on a daily basis as they are steep and narrow. Besides, these cannot be crossed safely and easily as they are in a very sorry state. As a result, pedestrians end up jaywalking in the middle of the roads, at the risk of life and limb. By flouting traffic rules in this manner, they also contribute to traffic congestion and, as a result, the traffic situation deteriorates further.
Many of the foot bridges lack shades, making them inconvenient for the pedestrians. This also makes the bridges vulnerable to rapid erosion and moss is deposited as rainwater falls directly on them. The staircases and walkways of many over-bridges have become eroded over time, making them very risky, pedestrians alleged.
“I want to use the bridges to cross the roads. But the staircases are either broken or eroded. I have slipped several times while climbing up or down the stairs. My child has faced the same problem. As a result, we are crossing the roads underneath the bridges,” complained Masuda Akhter, a housewife, while crossing the Syamoli footbridges.
Hasibul Islam, a student of Tejgaon College, said he is discouraged from using the footbridges because of the poor maintenance, lack of security, and insufficient lighting at night.
DSCC chief engineer Md Zahangir Alam said, “We take steps to repair the footbridges as and when necessary.” When asked about the lighting on the bridges, he said, “We had set electric bulbs, but they were stolen.”
DNCC chief engineer Brig. Gen. Md Abul Khair said that they have completed the maintenance work of 18 footbridges and would complete the task in phases. He added that the Farmgate over-bridge would be completed within a month.
Regarding the clean-up of the footbridges, he said, “A private operator will carry out this task. The tender has been floated. We hope that the process of cleaning up the footbridges will start within a month.”
-With The Independent input
