There are allegations that government mega projects, constructed to make life easier for people, are not getting the necessary attention.
Under the mega project label, the Moghbazar-Mouchak flyover has been built though after inauguration, it has been left without proper security.
The flyover’s traffic lights are inoperative, there’s dumped garbage and a marked sense of apathy from the city corporations.
In the last eight and a half years, six flyovers were constructed in the capital with a cost of around Tk 41.56 billion; in addition, a 620 metre long Khilgaon flyover loop was built at a cost of Tk 740 million. But most of these are not looked after properly.
Dhaka south city corporation Mayor, Md Sayeed Khokon, told Bangla Tribune, “We have demanded sufficient funds to look after the flyovers; in addition, manpower is also essential.”
Urban specialists have echoed Sayeed Khokon’s observation saying, “Since there is no maintenance, the projects do not last long and develop problems.”
Dr Shamsul Huq of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, BUET, told Bangla Tribune, “We are only interested in trumpeting development but forget that development work needs to be maintained and looked after.”
Funds have to be allocated for this and there has to be a mechanism for accountability, he added.
Sayeed Khokon says, “To maintain the Moghbazar-Mouchak flyover, the ministry of local government has taken a separate project.”
The ministry will give us some money to look after the flyover, he added.