DNCC shows blatant disregard for public safety

A pedestrian stepping over a sharp edge of the staircase which could have inflicted gashes on his leg on the dilapidated footbridge at Farmgate, near The Daily Star Centre, in the capital. Photo: Sk Enamul Haq

The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has fully opened a dilapidated footbridge at Farmgate after partial repair recently, disregarding the dangers it might cause to the pedestrians.

The renovation of the overcrossing near The Daily Star Centre started two weeks ago, and during the period, the authorities kept one staircase open on each side to let people use it in the meantime.

The authorities however replaced the four staircases only and left the landings and other parts of the footbridge as before with holes and gaps visible in the corroded metal planks.

Talking to The Daily Star on Wednesday, Chief Executive Officer of DNCC BM Enamul Haque said they did some emergency repairs, and it would take 15 more days to finish all the work.

Meanwhile, the footbridge near Ananda Hall has remained abandoned for five months since July 18 after the Bangladesh University of Engineering Technology (Buet) declared it risky.

Its condition is so bad that it needs to be demolished and replaced, said a DNCC official.

The Dhaka North City Corporation has fully opened it to the public after partial repairs, also leaving large gaps like the one here, on the landings where pedestrians may misstep anytime. The photo was taken on Tuesday. Photo: Sk Enamul Haq

Asked about the aloofness of the DNCC about its closure, the official said, “The metro rail project is the reason why we are hesitant about building any footbridge.”

The metro rail would pass through Farmgate, and during its construction, all footbridges would have to be demolished, the official told The Daily Star, preferring anonymity.

It is not known when the construction of the metro rail may start.