Most footbridges lie unused in Chittagong

Apart from that, pedestrians rarely choose foot-over bridges installed for their safety as well as to control jaywalking which is considered as the main reason for road accident. According to Chittagong City Corporation sources, there are a total of 10 footbridges in the city. These bridges are located in New Market, Chittagong Railway Station, BAWA School and College, CPA Girls’ High School and College, Free Port area, Colonel Hat, Fakirhat, Chittagong Customs House intersection, Port Officers Colony and Navy Gate areas. Recently, one footbridge installed in front of BAWA School in city’s Wasa has been dismantled recently for the ongoing construction work of 5.2km long Lalkhan Bazar-Muradpur flyover. Other bridges are also lying unused, as some have been merely turned into dustbins as well as some others grabbed by vendors. Sources at the Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) said the Chittagong Development Authority and Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) had constructed the bridges and Chittagong City Corporation are looking the maintenance issue of the installments. During a recent visit, the Dhaka Tribune correspondent found that only three bridges have been used by pedestrians. The over-bridges are located in EPZ, Navy gate and Fakirhat areas. Foot-bridge in Chittagong Railway Station area and Municipal High School areas were found in a dismal state. In New market area, this correspondent found garbage were littering on the bridge. Street people are also found dwelling on the bridge. “Criminals often snatch valuable from pedestrians on foot-over bridges taking the opportunity of darkness, as there were no lightening systems, said a hawker, who preferred to be unnamed. Debabrata Roy Debu, a private service holder, said: “Most bridges are too filthy to use for wastage.” Admitting the dismal condition of the foot-over bridges, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CCC Mohammed Kazi Sofiul Alam told Dhaka Tribune that the CDA and CCC were maintaining their respective installments. “Earlier, we cleaned the dirt and blockage from the bridges in New Market, Railway Station and Fakirhat areas, but people are reluctant to use those”, said the CEO, adding that they had taken decision to lunch an awareness campaign among the city dwellers to use the foot over bridges.