Ignoring the public demand of removing the stairs from Mayor Mohammad Hanif flyover, the fund-providing organization Orion Infrastru-cture Limited aiming to boost toll collection has sought permission from the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) authorities to set up two more stairs. As a result, anger has triggered among the conscious city dwellers.
Orion Infrastructure Limited built a number of illegal stairs at different points of Sayedabad and Jatrabari area on the country's largest 11.7-Km-long 'Mayor Mohammad Hanif' flyover where buses can use some points of the flyover as stoppages. Due to the construction of stairs, several points of the flyover are now being used as bus stoppages for passengers. The activities are going on violating the traffic rules leading to serious accidents on the flyover.
Locals complained that, the stairs have been constructed without the permission of DSCC authorities in a bid to increase the plying of transports on the flyover along with an increase of toll collection from its toll plaza. But, DSCC authorities came under criticism, when The Asian Age published a report in this regard recently revealing its bad impacts.
After publication of the news item, DSCC sent letters to the authorities concerned of the Orion Infrastructure Ltd twice directing the removal of the unauthorized stairs from the flyover. But, the Orion Infrastructure Limited is not showing interest to remove the stairs. In addition, the construction firm has sought permission from the DSCC authorities to set up two more stairs on it.
Complaint has intensified that, DSCC is not taking any action against the firm for setting up illegal stairs on the flyover by modifying its main design. Even, no mentionable initiative has been taken so far to remove the stairs except the dispatch of the letter. During a spot visit, this correspondent found that, buses including unfit vehicles were plying on the flyover and using different points as stoppages posing risk of serious accidents and creating massive gridlock.
While talking, many people of Jatrabari and Sayedabad area complained that the incident of mishaps has increased on the flyover due to illegal stairs. Traffic Sergeant Firoj and Jahangir, who were observing their duties in the area yesterday said, concerned authorities have determined bus stoppages in the city to reduce traffic congestion and accidents. Besides, there is no permission to stop any vehicle on any flyover in the city for passengers.
Though, the Orion Infrastructure Limited operates and maintains the flyover, the sergeant however believes that they don't have permission to use any portion of the flyover as bus stoppages. Sayeed Khokon, Mayor of DSCC said, "We have sent letter to the Orion Infrastructure Limited directing to removal of the stairs, but to no effect."
Rajib Khadem, Executive Engineer of DSCC said, "Removal of the stairs is being delayed due to negligence of the Orion Infrastructure Limited. They are not paying heed in this regard after letters have been sent twice." Shahzahan Patwary, Project Director of Orion Infrastructure Limited said, "We have built the stairs so that people can use the flyover safely. To avert traffic congestion and frequent accidents, we want to build two more stairs on the flyover, if DSCC permits.
It is to be mentioned that the 11.7 Km long flyover from Gulisthan to Jatrabari was constructed at a cost of Tk 21.08 billion on the basis of a Canadian Construction firm's design. It was opened for vehicular movements on October 11, 2013.
On the basis of Public Private Partnership (PPP), Orion Infrastructure Ltd provided the funds and executed the project with a deal to collect toll from all transports plying over the flyover bridge for next 24 years. The organization is also authorized to manage and maintain the flyover for the mentioned period to recover the construction costs. Dhaka South City Corporation is now the authority to supervise its performance.
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