In the intense heat or rain, commuter shelters are indispensable for the city’s people, especially when rain exposes the acute lack of shelter for pedestrians. However, the number of commuter shelters in Dhaka is negligible compared to the need.
The few shelters that exist lie either encroached upon or unused due to improper management and lack of maintenance.
Ignoring citizens’ safety and convenience has only increased the hardship for commuters. There is a pressing need for commuter shelters in various areas of Dhaka, such as Badda, Rampura, Motijheel and Mirpur Ansar Camp, among others.
However, the role of the two city corporations of Dhaka in this matter is almost invisible. When asked, they only offer rote responses with vague statements about their role.
Dhaka South City Corporation
Mohammad Monayem Hossain and his daughter had set out from Azimpur, Mouchak Colony, Dhaka, intending to go to Jatrabari. Suddenly, a heavy downpour began, forcing them to make their way to the nearest commuter shelter.
Although other commuters were on one side, they stood on the other. Then they noticed that rainwater was seeping through the broken shelter roof, and the seating arrangements were getting wet due to the increasing rain.
The situation became such that it was no longer possible to stand there. They were sheltering under the commuter shelter to avoid getting wet, but they could not stay dry.
Monayem Hossain told Dhaka Tribune that the commuter shelters need urgent repair; otherwise, commuters have to suffer in this rain.
Two illegal shops have encroached on both sides of the commuter shelter. Shopkeeper Anik said that earlier there used to be street stalls. Later, with help from someone, they were permitted to set up shops here. However, he does not pay any rent to anyone.
The condition of the commuter shelter opposite Eden College is even more pitiful. On-site inspection reveals that half of the rear portion of the shelter is broken and hanging down. As a result, rainwater easily comes into the shelter from outside. The benches for commuters to sit on have disappeared; someone has taken them.
Pedestrians reported that rain falls from above due to the broken upper section. The shopkeeper has placed a stool under the shelter for his convenience, where customers sit and drink tea and smoke cigarettes. Because of these customers, pedestrians get less space to stand.
New Market, known as a common area for customers, has a commuter shelter beside the gate. However, hawkers have not kept the access road open. They have encroached upon it with their necessary items, hardboards, cartons, and garbage surrounds the area.
The commuter shelter near Science Lab intersection, though structurally somewhat better, is surrounded and covered underneath with garbage. From a distance, it looks as if someone dumps trash here every day on purpose.
Another commuter shelter exists on the way from Katabon to PG Hospital. The shelter’s own designated space has broken roads and scattered bricks, making it difficult for pedestrians to walk safely.
On the west side of the Matsya Bhaban and the east side of Ramna Park, there is a commuter shelter with steel seats in front but no glass at the back. Opposite it, facing Shahbagh, is another commuter shelter. Commuters regularly board buses here, but this shelter’s condition is also miserable.
Commuters say that in the rain, there is no place to stand or sit. One bench is broken. The steel barricades that were in front have been taken away by people. Pedestrians say this shelter is in the worst condition among those nearby.
The city corporation should urgently repair or rebuild it. The steel section behind is also missing. Although somewhat bearable in the heat, the shelter is very problematic in the rain. Regardless of the shelter’s condition, various bus checkers have firmly occupied this place.
The commuter shelter located in Sobhanbagh, Dhanmondi, has had its seating removed long ago. Garbage is piling up beside it daily.
Pedestrian Mamun told Dhaka Tribune that the city corporation should maintain and look after these shelters properly. Water running from the shop next door collects under the shelter, making the environment damp and dirty.
The commuter shelter near the playground on the road stretching from Kalabagan Bus Stand towards Dhanmondi 32 has some broken glass lying below, making it risky for commuters. Pedestrians say the city corporation should quickly remove the broken glass and repair it to ensure a safe environment.
Regarding this, Md Shahjahan Mia, administrative officer of Dhaka South City Corporation, said: “Our operations are currently halted. Once work starts, we will definitely repair all broken or damaged commuter shelters and build new ones in special locations, considering the commuters. Those encroaching on them will be evicted through mobile courts. The relevant department will be informed on handling cleanliness issues.”
Dhaka North City Corporation
The commuter shelter next to the DNCC market on the route from Gulshan One Signal towards Mohakhali looks more like a hotel or food shop. There are rows of shops and stalls here. There is no seating left for commuters.
Although the shelter has no seats, the shopkeeper has placed some benches or chairs at his own expense, where customers sit and eat.
Shopkeeper Montu told Dhaka Tribune that he has been running his shop here for a long time. No one has ever stopped him, and he does not pay rent to the city corporation.
Next to Montu’s shop is another tea stall, which seems closed due to Eid holidays. Beside it, a container holds stagnant water, dirt, leaves and floating cigarette packets.
This situation is not only problematic for commuters but also creates breeding grounds for dengue mosquitoes. Next to this shop, there is a container coated with chickpea flour, which emits a foul smell, polluting the environment.
Tania, a pedestrian, said it is impossible to stand here because of these shops. Another commuter, Amin, said that although there is a commuter shelter, buses do not pick up commuters here but rather at the turn of the road.
On the way to Badda Link Road near the lake shore, the shelter is largely occupied by hawkers. On-site, a drinks and cigarette vendor is sitting on one side, and several rickshaw drivers are buying and consuming items there.
A fruit vendor, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that other fruit sellers come here in the afternoon, and the place is almost taken over by them.
On the left side of Banani-Mohakhali main road, after one has crossed the foot overbridge and gone a bit forward, one notices that the Kakoli commuter shelter stands dilapidated.
The upper portion of the shelter is mostly broken, and the rear section is open. The surrounding environment is also in very poor condition. The area behind is severely polluted due to people urinating there.
This causes extreme suffering for commuters. They say the foul smell makes it almost impossible to stand there. A pedestrian named Motahar demanded urgent action by Dhaka North City Corporation.
At the Tejgaon Seven Roads intersection, there is an old concrete shelter with peeling plaster and damaged seats. It is also encroached upon by a shop.
Shopkeeper Amin said he has been doing business here since the shelter’s construction began. Next to it, another shelter-like structure has been taken over and filled with road construction sand.
Regarding the matter, DNCC Executive Engineer Naeem Raihan Khan said: “We have about 59 commuter shelters. In line with public demand, 32 new ones will be constructed. We have already planned repair works. Encroachment issues are primarily handled by the property department, but if someone occupies a shelter without city corporation permission, the property department will evict him or her.”
