Most escalator-equipped footbridges in Dhaka fail pedestrians

Pedestrians, especially the elderly, children and people with special needs, in Dhaka have continued to cross roads with great difficulty despite having foot overbridges with expensive escalators in different parts of the capital.
The escalators imported mainly from European countries – each costing around Tk2 crore – have remained unmanned, dysfunctional due to their dirty and dilapidated condition, with many important parts stolen away as the two Dhaka city corporations’ regulating authorities remained oblivious to their operation and maintenance.
"Climbing the stairs is difficult and frightening, so we often have to wait until someone helps us,” said visually impaired pedestrian Md Rafiqul Islam after finding the escalator at the footbridge in front of Jamuna Future Park out of service.
According to the Road Safety Foundation's 2025 annual report, 219 people were killed in 409 road accidents in Dhaka last year. Pedestrians accounted for 47.03% of the fatalities, making them the most vulnerable road users.
Visits by this reporter to several escalator-equipped footbridges in the capital, including Airport, Newmarket, Farmgate, Banani and Jamuna Future Park, found that most of the escalators were either completely out of operation or worked only occasionally.
During a visit on Monday to the Airport area, it was seen that the footbridge connecting the airport on one side and the railway station on the other side of the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway was found with the escalator abandoned and covered in dirt due to a lack of regular maintenance.
Farhan Fuad, a commuter, said, “Many airport passengers carrying heavy luggage struggle to climb the stairs. Many people avoid the footbridge and cross the road instead, increasing the risk of accidents. If the escalators worked, more people would use the bridge.”
A tea vendor beside an escalator-equipped footbridge said he had not seen the escalators operating at any time over the past two years.
While many pedestrians complained about the broken escalators, others said recent renovation work has improved conditions at some footbridges.
Rubaiyat Tasneem, a student who regularly uses the Newmarket footbridge, said its condition has improved significantly since renovation work carried out about four months ago.
"The footbridge used to be in poor condition, but now it is much better. The escalator is working and making it easier and safer to cross the road," she said, adding that more pedestrians now use the footbridge instead of crossing the busy road directly.
Restoration planned while unmaintained footbridges’ purpose questioned
Prof Dr Hasib Mohammed Ahsan, Director of the Accident Research Institute (ARI) at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), said many people avoid using footbridges because they do not want to climb the stairs and instead cross busy roads on foot, increasing the risk of accidents. If the escalators remain out of service, the purpose of spending public money on these footbridges is lost.
He urged the concerned authorities to ensure regular maintenance so the escalators remain operational.
DNCC Executive Engineer (Traffic Engineering Circle) Nayeem Rayhan Khan said that there are currently no plans to repair the Airport footbridge as it will be demolished following the construction of an underpass in the area.
Regarding the Banani footbridge, he said some of its equipment had been stolen. Replacement parts have already been ordered from abroad and repair work is expected to begin in July or August this year after the materials arrive.
He said DNCC has nine escalator-equipped footbridges under its jurisdiction. Of them, three, including the Airport, Banani and Uttara Rajlokkhi footbridges, are out of service, while the remaining six are operational. He added that around Tk6 crore to Tk7 crore is allocated each year for their maintenance and development.
DSCC Superintending Engineer (Traffic Engineering Circle) Rajib Khadem said that the city corporation has only one escalator-equipped footbridge under its management.
When asked whether the police could take any action over the non-functioning escalators, Sharmin Afroz, senior system analyst at the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), said the force has a limited role in the matter.
"We can only send letters to the authorities concerned. The rest depends on them," she said.

The reporter can be reached at 
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