Foot over-bridge or dark tunnel?
Shahnaz Parveen
Dhaka City Corporation's decision to build overhead sheds and put up advertisement boards on the city's foot over-bridges has raised questions about safety of pedestrians as these are virtually being turned into dark tunnels. Sources from DCC Beautification Cell told Star City that 10 advertising firms have so far received allotment of 17 over-bridges in the city. All the over-bridges will gradually be handed over to private companies who will build roofs for protection of pedestrians from rain or sunlight. The firms, in exchange, will be allowed to rent out spaces to different companies and organisations for advertisement. The firms who already got allotment are now building colourful roofs made of plastic or steel and decorating the over-bridges according to their own design. However, the way some of these companies have put up the roof, has turned the passage dark, making it potential safe havens for criminals and hangouts for vagabonds. On the Mouchak foot over-bridge, the authorities had to deploy policemen to stand guard during peak hours to ensure security of people. Advertisement signs have virtually turned the over-bridge into a tunnel since there is no light. DESA or DESCO authorities have refused to give permission to use electricity on these over-bridges apparently to save power, which makes the bridges even more risky for pedestrians during the night, especially for women. According to contract, the companies are paying Tk 100 per sq feet to DCC. If they can obtain permission for electricity they will have to pay to Tk 150. These companies are responsible for the maintenance of the over-bridge and providing safety to the pedestrians by employing security guards. However, in the future the city corporation will invite tenders to lease out the over-bridges to companies. There are 28 foot over-bridges in Dhaka city, of which 17 are steel-made and 11 are made of concrete. These bridges are 22 feet high so that double-decker buses can pass. However, foot over-bridges are not very popular among the pedestrians of Dhaka city. Instead of climbing up the 22 feet high bridges for safety, most people tend to take the risk by crossing the thoroughfares. Overhead sheds have made them even more adverse and unwelcoming to the pedestrians.
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