Aftabnagar-Banasree communication gap bridged

The distance between two residential areas, Aftabnagar and Banasree, has now become a fraction of a minute as a new pedestrian bridge has been opened over Rampura canal, ending the suffering caused by taking around 4-5 km detours.
Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Md Safiqul Islam Khan formally opened it on Wednesday.
DNCC is constructing three bridges at a cost of Tk89.54 crore; Steel Bridge-2, located near Farazi Hospital, was opened to the public on Wednesday.
The project includes Bridge-1 near Ideal School, measuring 15.40 metres in width and 38 metres in length, Bridge-2 near Farazi Hospital, measuring 3.80 metres in width and 42 metres in length; and Bridge-3 near Meradia Bazar, measuring 15.40 metres in width and 49 metres in length.
DNCC officials said that Bangladesh Navy was given the contract for the construction of the three bridges through direct procurement.
Speaking on the occasion, Safiqul said, “Honourable PM directed me to open the bridge on 30 June in a meeting. He was informed that the work started in 2025 and asked why it could not be completed by then. Following that meeting, we decided that the pedestrian bridge would be built with local technology as shipment of the materials involves a lengthy process and takes a long time.”

He said, “The bridges are constructed for a purpose. When construction work on the metro rail starts on the Progoti Sarani, the three bridges will be used as a bypass for Progoti Sarani so that the main road does not experience traffic congestion.”
He said that the DNCC will take more development initiatives like cleaning the canals and giving them a tourism vibe for residents of the two residential areas.
Regarding progress of construction of the two vehicle bridges, DNCC’s Ashaduz Zaman said that pre-shipment inspections of the goods had been conducted in China, the platforms for the bridges were ready inside the canal, and only the fittings remained.
He requested residents of the areas to keep the bridge and the canal clean.
Speaking on the occasion, DNCC’s chief Brig Gen Syed Raquibul Hasan said that the pedestrian bridge has been constructed using local technology, but the two vehicle bridges will be constructed using foreign technology.

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