Shops in the middle of the road?

Chittagong Development Authority's (CDA) decision to rent out space under Aktaruzzaman flyover's ramp -- on dividers of a major road of the port city -- in an apparent bid to manage maintenance cost of the flyover, has drawn flak.

Town planners have termed the decision suicidal, saying it will heighten risk of accident for pedestrians, and will exacerbate traffic tailbacks, while Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) has termed the decision “illegal”.

CDA published a circular in local dailies on December 24, inviting prospective businesses to apply by January 24 for renting space under Aktaruzzaman flyover's ramp, in Muradpur, Gate no. 2 and Lalkhan Bazar areas.

CDA wants to build 13 shops and three super shops on the aforementioned spots, according to the circular.

CDA sources, preferring anonymity, said the initiative is aimed at generating funds for the maintenance cost of the flyover, which is about Tk 12 lakh a month. They also said each shop will be 132 square feet in size, while the super shops are planned at 7,000 square feet each.

The spaces under the ramp of the flyover are currently being used as free parking spots.

Road safety expert Professor Dr Shamsul Haque told The Daily Star that the decision will create safety hazards.

“These shops will invite pedestrians, who will be encouraged to cross the busy thoroughfare haphazardly. They will be prone to accident when they cross the road to reach the shops as well as when they step out of the shops,” he said.

Vehicles will be forced to slow down by the pedestrians, he added, saying the decision will be counterproductive at a time when government is trying to stop jaywalking and haphazard crossing on busy roads.

Contacted over phone, CDA Chairman Abdus Salam claimed it would not impact anything.

“We constructed the flyover through proper planning; same will be applied in this case,” Salam curtly said before hanging up.

A high official of CCC, however, said such shops are illegal. “Shops cannot be placed in the middle of the street like that. That is why, we would not issue trade licences to these shops,” he said, preferring not be named.

Town planner Jerina Hossen, general secretary of Forum for Planned Chittagong, told The Daily Star that CDA likes to talk about plans. “Then why did their plan for the flyover skip the major issue of sourcing the maintenance cost?” she questioned.

“It's merely a plan to mint money jeopardising lives of pedestrians. It will expose people to accidents and will intensify traffic jam. I wonder how they come up with such strange plans,” she added.

Terming it "objectionable and illogical", she said the decision, once executed, will increase sufferings of city dwellers. There is no shortage of shops in the city, and it is not the requirement right now, she added.