Dhaka North City Corporation Special Report:
The long-awaited Aftabnagar-Banasree pedestrian footbridge over the Rampura Canal was officially opened to the public on Wednesday (September 23), aiming to ease the long-standing transportation difficulties faced by residents of the two densely populated residential areas.
Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Md. Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton inaugurated the bridge by unveiling a commemorative plaque at Aftabnagar.
The bridge, constructed with funding and initiative from the DNCC, provides a direct pedestrian connection between Aftabnagar and Banasree. Previously, residents had to take a longer route to cross from one side of the canal to the other. With the new bridge in operation, pedestrians can now cross the canal directly, potentially saving around 30 to 40 minutes in their daily commute.
Speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony, DNCC Administrator Md. Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton said the project was implemented in response to a long-standing demand from residents of Aftabnagar and Banasree.
He said the bridge would remain a significant example of urban development and would make daily movement easier for thousands of residents.
“Residents of Aftabnagar and Banasree had been demanding a connection between the two areas for a long time. With the construction of this bridge, citizens will now be able to save around 30 to 40 minutes in their daily travel, which is extremely valuable for city dwellers,” Milton said.
“We are committed to making the daily lives of residents easier and reducing public suffering,” he added.
The DNCC administrator also outlined plans for further infrastructure development in the area. He said construction of two additional steel bridges over the canal is progressing rapidly. The proposed bridges will be capable of carrying heavy vehicles, creating additional connectivity between the two sides of the canal.
Milton further said that traffic pressure on the capital’s major roads is expected to increase when future metro rail (MRT) projects begin construction. In that situation, the newly constructed and proposed bridges could serve as important alternative routes, helping reduce traffic pressure on the main roads around Rampura and Badda.
The pedestrian bridge project was implemented with funding from the city corporation and under the overall supervision and technical management of the Bangladesh Navy.
Senior officials of the DNCC and Bangladesh Navy attended the inauguration ceremony alongside the DNCC administrator.
Among those present were DNCC Chief Executive Officer Mir Khayerul Alam; Chief Engineer Brigadier General Rakibul Hasan; Chief Waste Management Officer Commodore Humayun Kabir; Chief Health Officer Brigadier General Imrul Kayes; and Additional Chief Engineer Khandaker Mahbub Hossain.
Leaders of local residential societies and representatives of the Bangladesh Navy were also present at the event. They congratulated the DNCC administrator and welcomed the city corporation’s initiative to improve connectivity and reduce the daily commuting difficulties of local residents.
