JATRABARI intersection is an important link for Dhaka city. But accidents occur under the Mayor Mohammad Hanif Flyover of the road due to countless cracks and potholes. Different sections of the road have turned unfit for vehicular movement, causing long tailbacks that stretch to surrounding and adjoining roads. As a result, almost on a daily basis, students and office-goers are forced to reach their destinations late.
It was assumed that after the completion of Gulistan-Jatrabari flyover the sufferings of the citizens of Dhaka will be over; but the wretched condition of the road has brought back their miseries. Even though the 11.8 km long flyover has helped ease the city's traffic crisis to some extent, the situation has grown from bad to worse due to the condition of the Gulistan-Jatrabari road that runs parallel below the flyover.
According to a source, the government is not considering reconstruction of the roads under the flyover because most of the highway and city buses run on the dilapidated road under the flyover in order to avoid tolls.
A toll that was earlier agreed upon by flyover builders and the government, according to media reports, is being charged now at the rate of Tk 10.0 for a motorbike, Tk18 for an auto-rickshaw, Tk 60 for a car, Tk 70 for a jeep, Tk 85 for a microbus, Tk 130 for a pickup van, Tk 173 for a minibus and a four-wheeler truck, Tk 260 for a bus or a six-wheeler truck and Tk 345 for a trailer.
It was reportedly agreed earlier that tolls will be charged at Tk 5.0, Tk 10 per auto-rickshaw, Tk 35 for a jeep, Tk 40 for a car, Tk 50 for a microbus, Tk 75 for a minibus, Tk 100 for a bus, Tk 150 for a four-wheeler truck, Tk 150 and Tk 200 for a large goods carrier. It defies logic as to how the builders can charge higher without obtaining clearance from the government.
A source at the Dhaka South City Corporation, on condition of anonymity, said that the absence of any elected representative in the DSCC for a long time is responsible for the current situation.
Meanwhile, Kazi Borhan Uddin, the Executive Engineer for DSCC's Zone 5, said that a proposal with an estimated cost of around Tk 230 million was sent to the LGED Ministry two months ago and they will start working as soon as the fund is allotted. He, however, said that officials at both the south and north city corporations are now working on a plan to solve the problem.
"We are now doing some emergency work using bricks on the road to make it passable for vehicles," he said.
Sourav Chowdhury
Student of Business Administration
East West University, Dhaka
souravjoy13@gmail.com
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