‘I avoid other underpasses because they seem risky. Here, I feel completely safe’
Marium Sultana
Publish : 22 Jan 2022, 10:13 PMUpdate : 22 Jan 2022, 10:53 PM
Sur Saptak, a stunning glass-and-stone underpass near Hotel Radission Blu, instantly draws the attention of most commuters when they pass along the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway. The first thing that comes to mind while looking at it from the outside is its unique design.
When entering it for the first time, one may wonder whether it is a multi-storeyed building or museum rather than a simple underpass.
At the entrance near Hotel Radisson Blu, two walkways have been built. The first is a traditional stairway, and the second is a wide, long, and flat walkway constructed exclusively for wheelchairs.
At least 10 people can comfortably walk side-by-side through the underpass.
Syed Zakir Hossain
As one walks along the surface by following the stairway, one can see numerous photographs and artwork hanging on the walls. Soft music in the background lends the place a calm atmosphere.
Escalator and elevator facilities are also available, although the escalators are still being built.
The underpass is entirely air-conditioned and also has a pedestrian seating area in the Hotel Radisson Blu section. Fire extinguishers and first-aid facilities are available, and the entire hallway is monitored by CCTV cameras.
When one learns that Sur Saptak was modelled after the famed Louvre Museum in France, the glass architecture and sophisticated design begin to make sense.
The 42-meter-long underpass is the first in the country that goes under a major highway. It was built adjacent to Shaheed Ramiz Uddin Cantonment School and College on Airport Road by using Pushbox technology, which eliminated the need for digging up roads.
The Bangladesh Army built the underpass and is currently charged with its maintenance. A total of 18 troops are stationed there everyday to ensure security.
Syed Zakir Hossain
The Roads and Highways Department (RHD) oversaw the construction and will maintain it after it has been handed over.
On July 29, 2018, two Shaheed Ramiz Uddin Cantonment College students, Diya Khanam Mim and Abdul Karim Rajib, were run over and seven others were injured by two speeding Jabale Nur Paribahan buses on Airport Road. Massive protests for road safety were sparked by the incident.
In response to the protests, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina promised to build the underpass, and the Army's 24 Engineer Construction Brigade began the project. On January 12, 2022, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the underpass via video conferencing from Ganabhaban.
Every day, hundreds of people come to visit the spectacular underpass. They are seen taking pictures and shooting videos on their phones.
Fariha Akter, an 11th grade student at Shaheed Ramiz Uddin Cantonment School and College, was seen visiting Sur Saptak with her younger sister.
“I still can’t believe that we can make something like this,” she said.
Syed Zakir Hossain
"I have never seen such a magnificent underpass before," said Imran Hossain, another student. “I normally try to avoid the other underpasses because they are quite risky. Here, on the other hand, I feel completely safe. Hopefully, it will be beneficial for girls in particular."
Habiba Ashraf, a teacher of Nandan Art School, came to see Sur Saptak with a friend.
"As an artist, I'm thrilled to see such a stunning structure in our own country. I have the feeling that I am somewhere in Europe,” she said.
Pedestrians, however, expressed concern that the magnificent structure will no longer be maintained once it is handed over to the RHD.
Many others brave traffic to cross the road while avoiding the underpass for no discernible reason.
Sur Saptak: An underpass like no other
‘I avoid other underpasses because they seem risky. Here, I feel completely safe’
Sur Saptak, a stunning glass-and-stone underpass near Hotel Radission Blu, instantly draws the attention of most commuters when they pass along the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway. The first thing that comes to mind while looking at it from the outside is its unique design.
When entering it for the first time, one may wonder whether it is a multi-storeyed building or museum rather than a simple underpass.
At the entrance near Hotel Radisson Blu, two walkways have been built. The first is a traditional stairway, and the second is a wide, long, and flat walkway constructed exclusively for wheelchairs.
At least 10 people can comfortably walk side-by-side through the underpass.
As one walks along the surface by following the stairway, one can see numerous photographs and artwork hanging on the walls. Soft music in the background lends the place a calm atmosphere.
Escalator and elevator facilities are also available, although the escalators are still being built.
The underpass is entirely air-conditioned and also has a pedestrian seating area in the Hotel Radisson Blu section. Fire extinguishers and first-aid facilities are available, and the entire hallway is monitored by CCTV cameras.
When one learns that Sur Saptak was modelled after the famed Louvre Museum in France, the glass architecture and sophisticated design begin to make sense.
The 42-meter-long underpass is the first in the country that goes under a major highway. It was built adjacent to Shaheed Ramiz Uddin Cantonment School and College on Airport Road by using Pushbox technology, which eliminated the need for digging up roads.
The Bangladesh Army built the underpass and is currently charged with its maintenance. A total of 18 troops are stationed there everyday to ensure security.
The Roads and Highways Department (RHD) oversaw the construction and will maintain it after it has been handed over.
On July 29, 2018, two Shaheed Ramiz Uddin Cantonment College students, Diya Khanam Mim and Abdul Karim Rajib, were run over and seven others were injured by two speeding Jabale Nur Paribahan buses on Airport Road. Massive protests for road safety were sparked by the incident.
In response to the protests, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina promised to build the underpass, and the Army's 24 Engineer Construction Brigade began the project. On January 12, 2022, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the underpass via video conferencing from Ganabhaban.
Every day, hundreds of people come to visit the spectacular underpass. They are seen taking pictures and shooting videos on their phones.
Fariha Akter, an 11th grade student at Shaheed Ramiz Uddin Cantonment School and College, was seen visiting Sur Saptak with her younger sister.
“I still can’t believe that we can make something like this,” she said.
"I have never seen such a magnificent underpass before," said Imran Hossain, another student. “I normally try to avoid the other underpasses because they are quite risky. Here, on the other hand, I feel completely safe. Hopefully, it will be beneficial for girls in particular."
Habiba Ashraf, a teacher of Nandan Art School, came to see Sur Saptak with a friend.
"As an artist, I'm thrilled to see such a stunning structure in our own country. I have the feeling that I am somewhere in Europe,” she said.
Pedestrians, however, expressed concern that the magnificent structure will no longer be maintained once it is handed over to the RHD.
Many others brave traffic to cross the road while avoiding the underpass for no discernible reason.