Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Atiqul Islam on Tuesday accused the Bangladesh Bridge Authority, a state agency, of building its headquarters---Setu Bhaban-- illegally and demanded its transfer to some other place.
Mayor Atiq said the Bhaban has been built on a vacant space adjacent to the Mohakhali flyover. A large number of trees were felled while doing the construction work, he alleged.
"It should be shifted today or tomorrow," he said while speaking as the chief guest at the closing ceremony of a three-day journalist training programme on 'Mass Transport Planning and Management Reporting.'
Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB) organised the training programme at its auditorium for Nagar Unnayan Sangbadik Forum (urban development journalists' forum) members who cover urban issues.
Engineer Abdus Sabur, science and technology secretary of Bangladesh Awami League, was present as the special guest. PIB director general Zafar Wazed chaired the programme.
Mr Atiq also expressed his frustration over not finding space in the city for five bus bays for the first BRT line due to unplanned and illegal structures. The BRT line is due to be operational from 01 April next year from Ghaterchar to Motijheel.
"We certainly need bus bays but where is the space? We cannot find any space for the five bus bays for the BRT, one of the bays should be at the site of the Dhanmondi Boys High School. Setu Bhaban has caused the major damage," he said.
The mayor also announced that a project proposal for waterway development from Hatirjheel to Kalachandpur or from Gulshan 1 to Gulshan 2 has been submitted to the planning ministry after getting approval from the LGRD ministry.
The Tk 7.5 billion waterway project will be implemented along with bus route rationalization. For that nine bridges over Hatirjheel have to be built. The work on elevating the bridges has started.
Mr Atiq highlighted various plans to improve the city's traffic and management system.
Referring to the violation of plans and rules by Setu Bhaban authority, the mayor said they have constructed the building on the road by felling trees. The oxygen hub created along the Chairmanbari at Banani has been destroyed with so many buildings. Not a single building will be allowed there, he added.
Comparing the Setu Bhaban with the BGMEA building, he said the illegal BGMEA building has been demolished and Setu Bhaban must also be shifted today or tomorrow.
"We will visit10 spots selected for bus and truck terminal within a couple of days. Nowhere in the world, inter-district and inter-city bus can enter cities as it happens in Dhaka. Truck stand is an integral part of the city development. Many mistakes have already been committed."
He has proposed handing over the land of railway at Tejgaon to construct a truck terminal, he said, adding that the city corporation does not get any revenue from car parking and it has been discussing the parking issue with the Bangladesh Army.
"If anyone does not pay parking charge and park their vehicles indiscriminately, he will be fined and his licence will be revoked. Several car parking spaces in different areas will be started under Bangladesh Army on an experimental basis within a couple of months," he added.
Mr Atiq also said the city corporations have proposed sharing of registration fees that the BRTA collects from motor vehicles.
"Our roads are damaged by vehicles but BRTA gets all the money. And we have to write to the government for fund to repair roads. It should not happen that BRTA should get the full registration fees alone,"
The mayor said the prime minister has given him the permission to install escalators in the eight existing footbridges.
He, however, said the country needs to get out of the footbridge concept gradually and go for underpass construction.
The mayor announced that six U-loops will be functional by December 22. But it will take time to open the rest two at Kakoli and Mohakhali.
"We have installed pushbutton for crossing of roads by the pedestrians. We have installed it in front of the Green Herald School and the Brac. But we are facing hurdles in operating them. More pushbutton will be installed in front of educational and other institutions," he said.
The mayor reiterated his commitment to reclaim the 39.5-km canal at Purbachal which has been occupied by illegal grabbers.
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