Mirpur-10 mired in gridlocks

Mirpur-10 roundabout has become a nightmare for commuters, as parked vehicles, hawkers and garbage have made gridlocks a constant presence there.

Due to the abundance of motorbike garages and spare-parts shops around the area, hundreds of two-wheelers stay parked on the roads and alleys haphazardly, and so, moving through the area in cars and rickshaws is an ordeal.

On top of that, the footpaths are occupied by hawkers, so even pedestrians are not spared from the misery.

The Daily Star came across this scenario after visiting the area recently and talking to the people.

Meanwhile, owners of street shops are regularly extorted, according to them. A major share of the money allegedly goes to police and a section of local leaders and activists of the ruling party's front organisations.

Talking to a number of shop owners, who would not be identified on grounds of security, they said each owner has to pay between Tk 100 and 500 daily, depending on how much space they have occupied on roads and footpaths.

For some lucrative spaces, the amount can go up to Tk 1,000 daily, they added. Each owner also has to pay Tk 50 as electricity bill to designated people, known as linemen.

The situation around Falpatti Road, which connects commuters to Mirpur Road, is even more appalling.

The important road remains almost blocked from morning till late night, as cargo trucks of courier and parcel services load and unload goods haphazardly by parking on the road. If that was not bad enough, they keep their stuff on footpaths. Parked cars and shops on the road add to the problem.

Dumped garbage and vans to collect it also keep a major part of the road unusable during the day and causes severe traffic congestion.

"Often, it takes me 10 to 20 minutes to pass the area... Sometimes, it even takes half an hour," said Abdullah Al Mamun, employee of a private bank, who lives just 100 metres away from Falpatti Road.

He said many locals have been enduring the situation, but no one looks into the matter.

Regarding the allegation of police taking extortion money from shops, Deputy Commissioner of Mirpur Division ASM Mahtabuddin said, "Did anyone who paid the money lodge any complaint with the police station?"

After this correspondent told him that the allegation was made by locals, he replied," Have you taken any measures… What's the point of complaining to you?"

Local councillor Humayun Rashid Johny said, "I have tried several times, but just an hour after eviction, they occupy the road, and the situation becomes the same."

To address this, authorities are going to initiate a programme involving different government and non-government organisations for six months on a pilot basis, he said.

Under the programme, places will be marked for parking and hawkers, he added.

"When I try to remove occupiers, a quarter gets in the way. So, we need support from all," Johny said.

About garbage being dumped on Falpatti Road, the councillor said they have already made a garbage station at Shewrapara. Garbage from different areas will be dumped there initially and will then be carried to Aminbazar dumping ground.