Pedestrians risk lives while crossing highway at Sonargaon

SONARGAON, NARAYANGANJ, Aug 12: Thousands of pedestrians risk their lives crossing the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway at Naya Bari Stand in Kanchpur, Sonargaon, every day as there is no foot-over-bridge there.
The industrial area is surrounded by factories and remains busy throughout the day. Road accidents frequently occur while people cross the highway, but no visible initiative has yet been taken to build a foot-over-bridge, fuelling frustration among local residents and factory workers.
Locals said two foot-over-bridges have been built near the Kanchpur Bridge private car stand and in front of Kanchpur Omar Ali High School to facilitate safe crossing and reduce accidents and traffic congestion. However, Naya Bari Stand, another important point in the same union, still lacks such a facility.
Several industrial establishments, including Rahim Steel Mills, Ananta Garments, SF Fashion and Green Line Bus Service Centre, as well as several filling stations, are located around the stand. Thousands of workers, students and other pedestrians cross the highway every day, often weaving through fast-moving vehicles.
Local residents Russell Ahmed, Razzak Mia and Saidul Islam said several people have been killed or injured in road accidents in the area over the past few years.
Mahfuz Ahmed Rajib said a foot-over-bridge had been built at some locations despite limited use, while no such facility had been provided at Naya Bari despite repeated demands.
Selim Haque Rumi, President of Kanchpur union BNP, said an overbridge was urgently needed to ensure public safety.
Abdur Rahim, Executive Engineer of the Roads and Highways Department in Narayanganj, said the proposal to build a foot overbridge at Naya Bari Stand would be brought to the attention of the higher authorities.
An expert team will inspect the site and assess the feasibility before a decision is made, he said.