Bangladesh’s first flyover road is attracting hundreds of visitors a week, prompting safety fears among officials.
Some visitors come on day trips from rural areas while others live in the capital Dhaka who enjoy the atmosphere around the new overpass, Monday’s English language Daily Star said.
”We have seen bridges over rivers but never a road on top of another,” a visitor named Nazmul told the newspaper, adding he had travelled from central Narsinghdi district with a friend to see the overpass.
”It is a nice place especially in the evening because of its lighting,” a student named Sumon said.
”We often come here and chat. We are not aware that the flyover is prohibited for pedestrians,” he added.
Although it is not meant to be used by pedestrians, visitors walk along a buffer which looks like a narrow strip of pavement on each side of the elevated road.
They also sit on the railings, pose for photographs and cross from one side of the main road to the other without any sense of danger.
Hawkers have also been drawn to the new road where they do brisk business in boiled eggs, peanuts, tea and cigarettes.
But the road’s popularity has alarmed officials who say that for safety reasons it must be pedestrian free.
”Accidents may occur any time if the crowd is not controlled but we cannot take any initiative if we are not instructed to restrict movement,” said a Dhaka Metropolitan Police official.
Prime Minister Khaleda Zia inaugurated the $18-million dollar flyover last month. The route is aimed at reducing chronic congestion in the capital. – Sapa-AFP