The Daily Star
While crossing Babubazar Bridge, one might wonder whether it is still a bridge or has become a transport stand and roadside market.
Illegal fruit and vegetable stalls, unauthorised bus and auto-rickshaw stands have taken over much of one of Dhaka’s busiest entry and exit points, causing chronic congestion and posing safety risks for thousands of commuters every day.
During visits to the bridge over several days, this correspondent found fruit and vegetable vendors occupying part of the carriageway, while buses, auto-rickshaws and rickshaw-vans regularly stopped on the bridge to pick up and drop off passengers. At times, empty buses were also seen parked while their drivers took breaks.
Informal stands for auto-rickshaws and rickshaw-vans have also sprung up near both ends of the bridge, further narrowing the road and disrupting traffic flow.
These activities took place in plain sight of law enforcers from both the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and Dhaka district police, as the bridge falls under the jurisdiction of both police units.
Babubazar Bridge connects Bangshal in Old Dhaka with Kadamtali in Keraniganj and remains busy around the clock. Since the opening of the Padma Bridge, traffic on the route has increased significantly as vehicles from the southern districts now use it to enter the capital.
Commuters say congestion on the bridge has become so severe that crossing it often takes longer than reaching their destinations.
Mohammad Yamin, a construction worker from Kadamtali who commutes daily to Karwan Bazar, said the situation has become unbearable.
“The bridge is occupied by roadside shops, vans, and parked vehicles. It becomes extremely difficult to move, and a major accident could happen at any time. A bridge is meant to keep traffic moving, not for shops,” he told The Daily Star.
Another pedestrian, Kamrul Islam, said allowing shops and passenger boarding on the bridge poses serious safety risks.
“If a speeding vehicle loses control, it could easily cause an accident. Buses and auto-rickshaws should pick up passengers at designated points instead of stopping on the bridge,” he said.
Whenever congestion builds up, motorcycles, auto-rickshaws, and vans often begin travelling against the flow of traffic, worsening the gridlock, commuters added.
Ferdous Hasan, another commuter, alleged that traffic police have failed to effectively curb the illegal activities despite maintaining a presence on the bridge.
Pedestrians also alleged that some traffic police personnel, along with a group of local middlemen, collect money from buses, vegetable vendors, and auto-rickshaw drivers in exchange for allowing them to stop and operate on the bridge. Many also alleged that other law enforcers were involved.
“How can such things continue without the patronisation of law enforcers?” asked Shafiul Islam, a frequent traveller from Sirajdikhan upazila.
Requesting anonymity, an on-duty police officer said the stairways at both ends of the bridge, used by thousands of pedestrians every day, also contribute to congestion.
“We have conducted several drives to remove the illegal market, but due to a shortage of manpower, it is not possible to maintain constant enforcement,” the officer said.
Contacted, Traffic Inspector Bidyut, who oversees the Babubazar Bridge area, said most of the reported irregularities occur on the Dhaka district portion of the bridge.
“We regularly conduct drives in the area under our jurisdiction and do not allow vehicles to stop illegally,” he said.
Responding to allegations that traffic personnel collect money from transport operators, he denied any involvement.
“If someone gives money to someone personally, how can I stop that?” he said.
When asked further about the allegations, Bidyut got agitated and disconnected the call.
Anisur Rahman, additional commissioner of police at DMP (Lalbagh Traffic Division), said authorities were aware of the situation.
“We are planning to launch a special drive there very soon,” he told The Daily Star recently.
He said removing the illegal market and unauthorised vehicle stands is not the responsibility of the police alone.
“The city corporation and other relevant agencies also have responsibilities in this regard,” he said.
On allegations of extortion involving police personnel, he said appropriate action would be taken if the claims were substantiated.
He also cited a shortage of manpower, saying although the DMP has around 34,000 personnel, only about 4,000 are assigned to traffic duties, making it difficult to ensure effective enforcement across the city.
Contacted, Dhaka district Superintendent of Police Shamima Parveen said she was unaware of any illegal markets or unauthorised transport stands on the portion of the Babubazar Bridge under her jurisdiction.
She said the allegations would be verified and necessary action taken if found to be true.
Regarding claims of extortion, she said the matter would be investigated and legal action taken if any police personnel were found to be involved.
Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/when-bridge-becomes-transport-stand-4227941
