“Following the prime minister’s directive, the bridge is being formally inaugurated today,” he said.
The newly opened Aftabnagar-Banasree footbridge illuminated at night over the Rampura canal. Photo: TBS
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The newly opened Aftabnagar-Banasree footbridge illuminated at night over the Rampura canal. Photo: TBS
A 42-metre-long footbridge over the Rampura (Begunbari) canal between Aftabnagar and Banasree was inaugurated yesterday (23 September) at a cost of Tk13 crore 28 lakh 98 thousand.
Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Md Safiqul Islam Khan inaugurated the bridge in Aftabnagar, beside Farazi Hospital, on the Rampura-Banasree Road towards Demra.
The 3.80-metre-wide bridge has a steel structure with concrete slabs and tiled flooring. Residents previously relied on bamboo bridges or boats to cross the canal.
At the inauguration, Safiqul said three bridges were planned to improve connectivity between Aftabnagar and Banasree, ensure safe travel for school and college students and reduce traffic congestion.
“Following demands for three bridges to improve connectivity and ensure safe travel for school and college students in Aftabnagar-Banasree, the prime minister directed their speedy implementation. Accordingly, DNCC undertook the construction of three bridges,” he said.
He explained that heavy equipment had to be shipped from abroad, causing delays in the construction of the other two bridges. Later, following the prime minister’s directive, DNCC undertook the second steel bridge using local equipment to facilitate local movement and ensure students’ safety, completing it quickly.
The 42-metre Aftabnagar-Banasree footbridge provides safer pedestrian connectivity across the Rampura canal. Photo: TBS
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The 42-metre Aftabnagar-Banasree footbridge provides safer pedestrian connectivity across the Rampura canal. Photo: TBS
“Following the prime minister’s directive, the bridge is being formally inaugurated today,” he said.
Safiqul urged residents to help maintain the bridge and prevent waste from being dumped in the canal. DNCC will undertake cleaning and renovation of the canal, he said, adding that it could become a tourist attraction if properly cleaned, renovated and maintained.
He also urged residents to support DNCC’s development activities and pay taxes regularly.
“Today, the No. 2 steel footbridge has been inaugurated. DNCC has also planned to complete the other two bridges quickly,” he said.
He said the footbridge was completed efficiently with assistance from the Bangladesh Army. Two permanent bridges are being built beside it to reduce congestion on the main road and provide alternative routes while MRT project work continues. The bridges will also allow heavy vehicles to pass.
DNCC Chief Executive Officer Mir Khairul Alam, Chief Engineer Brig Gen Rakibul Hasan, Chief Waste Management Officer Commodore Humayun Kabir, Chief Health Officer Brig Gen Imrul Kayes, Additional Chief Engineer Khandaker Mahbub Hossain, senior Bangladesh Navy officials and local society leaders attended the event.
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