Illuminated road for safe commute

Three and a half kilometres of road from Digarkanda bypass to Charpara intersection where the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway starts, is now illuminated at night to ensure the safety of pedestrians.

A total of 220 street lights have been set up on 110 polls by Mymensingh City Corporation (MCC). There are blue LED ribbon lights on every poll as well, for beautification purpose.

The engineering department of the city corporation completed the large-scale project worth around Tk one crore, under “LED Light Installation Programme” of MCC, said it’s superintending engineer Md Rafiqul Islam.

The project will be extended a further eight kilometres, to the end of MCC’s jurisdiction at Beltoli area on the highway, said the engineer, adding, “They are preparing a budget for the extension.”

“We have been monitoring the lights in case any problems occur, and received good feedback from pedestrians and drivers,” said the engineer.

Talking to this correspondent, MCC Mayor Ekramul Hoque Titu said they prioritised the safety of commuters especially during the night, so they undertook this project considering that the road to Dhaka remains busy around the clock.

“The initiative will not only help citizens feel safer but also beautify the streets,” he added.

Now the bus passengers and the staff will feel secure when they reach the area from Dhaka, said Biswajit Sen, a transport worker at city’s Shambhuganj Bridge area.

Advocate Johirul Hoque said he returned from Dhaka with his family on Tuesday evening and he was delighted to see the lights.

Ashraf Ali, a CNG-run auto-rickshaw driver said he feels safer as the area is now illuminated, especially because he has to wait at Charpara intersection for trips until midnight. Some residents of the area also hailed the initiative.

MCC mayor inaugurated the lights on November 20 evening.