While Bangladesh’s infrastructure development over the past decade and a half is indeed impressive, it is equally true that rapid urbanization has put immense strain on the overall infrastructure, with crumbling roads, dilapidated walkways, and poorly maintained footover bridges becoming a common sight across the country.
And the lack of proper maintenance and repair of existing infrastructure is glaring and not fit for a nation with our ambitions. Spending public money behind infrastructure and then showing absolute disregard towards their maintenance is the very definition of burning through money, and it is time we held those responsible for these development initiatives to not only build them, but maintain them as well.
Funds can simply not be made available for new construction only while neglecting the upkeep of existing assets. This premature deterioration of our roads, walkways, and footover bridges presents this issue with absolute clarity. The poor condition of roads and bridges not only causes inconvenience but also poses serious safety hazards for commuters and pedestrians alike. Poorly maintained footover bridges, with cracked steps and rusted railings, put pedestrians at risk of accidents, while potholes and uneven surfaces on roads increase the likelihood of vehicular mishaps, leading to injuries and loss of life.
It is imperative thus that we begin to prioritize the maintenance and repair of existing infrastructure alongside new development projects. Allocating adequate funds for regular upkeep, employing modern maintenance techniques, and adopting a pro-active approach to infrastructure management are crucial steps. We cannot build Smart Bangladesh if we keep forgetting about what we have already built; infrastructure projects must align with sustainable development for any meaningful change to occur.