Cops clearing walkers' way
Although the number of jaywalkers dwindled on the third day of the week-long drive against jaywalkers, the authorities concerned are yet to mark zebra crossings at some intersections on the Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue for people to cross the roads.
Many pedestrians complained that they remain in the dark about finding the designated places to cross the roads due to the absence of zebra crossings.
Two mobile courts of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) started the drive on Tuesday on the stretch of the road from Hotel Ruposhi Bangla intersection to Farmgate Police Box. But there are no zebra crossings at Sonargaon and Bangla Motor intersections.
Yesterday, 148 pedestrians were fined Tk 9,410 for crossing the road without using footbridges or violating traffic rules.
Meanwhile, a mobile court led by Sarwar Alam, an executive magistrate deployed at Farmgate, evicted 38 makeshift footpath shops from the area but most of the sidewalks at Farmgate intersection still remain occupied by vendors.
Mosleh Uddin Ahmad, joint commissioner (traffic) of the DMP, said they requested both the city corporations to mark zebra crossing before the drive but the two intersections have not been marked yet.
"We have got a huge response from people in the first three days. They have started to use footbridges instead of jaywalking amid heavy traffic," he said.
The DMP official said they are conducting the drive to encourage people to use footbridges and avoid jaywalking on the busy road.
"Everyone needs to become aware as it is not possible for us to conduct such drives round the year," he said.
Tanweer Hasan, director at Accident Research Institute (ARI) of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, said the authorities should have started the drive after ensuring all the facilities of pedestrians.
The zebra crossings disappeared when the authorities repaired the road but did not paint the marks again, he said, adding that a designated place is necessary for the pedestrians to cross a road.
Tanweer said 80 percent of footpaths of the city remain occupied which need to be freed for the pedestrians.
"The current drive is really a good initiative but it may not work as the drive will continue for a brief time. It should go on round the year," he said.
Contacted, Anisur Rahman, executive engineer of Dhaka South City Corporation, said they did not mark the pedestrian crossing at the intersections due to the rainy season. They will finish painting them within the next month, he said.
Regarding the zebra crossing at Sonargaon intersection, an official of Dhaka North City Corporation said they will give the crossing mark within a day or two.
Many pedestrians appreciated the move of the DMP but expressed doubts as to how long the footpaths would remain pedestrian-friendly since hawkers encroach them again just after few days of a drive.
"It's a good move as the shops obstruct smooth pedestrian movement but I doubt how long the pavements will remain clear," said Moniruzzaman, lecturer of Dhaka City College.
Magistrate Sarwar said they were conducting drives against illegal occupiers on a priority basis. If the evicted hawkers return to their old place, they (the DMP) will take legal action against them.
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