Glaring Death Traps

A picture of cable lines strung carelessly on free standing bamboo poles published on the back page of today's The Daily Star is hard to ignore. Right below, there is another photo of iron bars sticking out from a girder of the Moghbazar-Mouchak flyover near the Malibagh level crossing. This, however, is not news in a country like ours where manholes are kept open, trucks and vans are allowed to carry sharp iron bars and other dangerous materials openly without any concern for public safety, and building codes are flouted in plain sight. It's only when we are struck by disaster that we demand action, crying ourselves hoarse about the 'irresponsibility of those in power' and the 'apparent disdain for public safety.' But then again when the din dies down, we , collectively as a nation, prefer to forget about all this, thereby letting those responsible go scot free without little, if any, retribution. Why then should it come as a surprise when those who indulge in such dangerous activities feel a sense of impunity and go about business as usual without as much as a slap on the wrist? Why then should we feel that our law enforcers and authorities are answerable to us and must be held accountable for their neglect of duty?

Power and cable lines are supposed to be hanging overline on accurately constructed power poles, but instead, in Dhaka you'll find power lines often wrapped in a tangle, hanging low on bamboo poles that are in danger of crumbling under excess pressure. Our neglect has gone to such an extent that the placement of electric transformers on makeshift poles is an everyday sight. The lines are often left hanging almost on road level, thus making the danger even more palpable. If a hanging power line falls on any unlucky individual passing by, the danger of electrocution is likely and most often, unavoidable.

We know that Bangladesh is constantly under the threat of a major earthquake(s) that could endanger the lives of millions. As it is, we have failed to stop the construction of shoddy, unregulated buildings, structures and heavy industries. Can you imagine the extent to which we are magnifying the consequences of this threat by allowing such uninterrupted faulty placements of power and cable lines?

The open girders of buildings pose an even more imminent danger. In a place like Dhaka, where space has always been an issue, we have to basically take each step with care in case we tread onto another's territory or step into the mouth of danger. Trying to avoid the rusty iron bars, blatantly sticking out of ongoing construction, has more or less become a norm for Dhakaites. Injuries resulting from these girders and bars are common and may even lead to fatalities. The onus of avoiding this is of course on the public. If you do not notice the iron bars sticking out of an ongoing construction, you more or less 'deserve' the accident you incur, right?

While the authorities must strictly enforce regulations that do not allow for such open death traps, we the public also have the responsibility to press on the demand of safe power and cable placement and construction, as it is our lives, our health that are in question. For our safety and for the safety of our city, we need to change our jokhon hobe tokhon dekha jabe ("We'll see to it when it happens") stance so that our law enforcers, regulators and concerned authorities are forced to change their neglectful attitude, and address the concerns of public before disaster strikes.