The Gaurangabazar Bridge built on the Narasundar River in Kishoreganj City is now occupied by hawkers.
Although there is enough space for pedestrians on both sides of the bridge, they are not able to walk on the footpath. As a result, they are forced to walk in the middle of the road. This is causing constant accidents. This is the daily suffering of the city residents. Not only on both sides of the bridge but also due to illegal parking and setting up mobile shops on the footpaths, the footpaths on both sides of the road have been taken over by hawkers. As there is no space to walk on the footpaths, traffic congestion has increased on the road due to pedestrian movement. Due to the lack of adequate traffic police at various points on the road, the traffic congestion situation is largely uncontrolled.
It is seen that hawkers have set up rows of shops on both sides of the city roads. Due to this, pedestrians are not able to move on the footpaths. Various mobile shops cover half of the road next to the footpath. Moreover, motorcycles have been illegally parked in front of the luxury shopping mall. Clothes and fruit shops have been set up on the road and are selling and buying all year round. This is creating obstacles to public movement. Some have hung their products on the footpath with awnings.
When talking to employees, pedestrians, and locals, they said that there is no way to walk comfortably on the footpaths of the city. They demand from the municipal authorities that the footpaths be made suitable for movement as soon as possible.
The Traffic Department of Kishoreganj District Police believes that the cooperation of all concerned, including the municipality, is needed to resolve traffic congestion.
Regarding resolving traffic congestion, Superintendent of Police Mohammad Hasan Chowdhury said, "Despite the increase in people's activity in Kishoreganj city, the roads have not been widened. Traffic congestion always occurs due to excess transport in the city. However, we are working to resolve traffic congestion.
ZH