• Dhaka Friday, 01 Nov, 2024

Farmgate footbridge opens for commuters

October 16, 2023, 02:38 PM

Farmgate footbridge opens for commuters

Staff Reporter

The long-awaited footbridge bridge at Farmgate was opened for commuters on Sunday (October 15).

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) mayor Atiqul Islam presided over the inauguration ceremony while Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal was present as the chief guest.  

The 206-foot long and 21-foot wide Farmgate footbridge in the capital has been built spending Tk 20 crore.

At present, only stairs have been installed at both ends of the footbridge. It also has several entrances making way for commuters to the nearby market.

Speaking on the occasion, Mayor Atiqul Islam called for keeping the footbridge free of hawkers to ensure hassle-free walks for commuters.

Atiqul Islam also said the newly-built footbridge is for common pedestrians‍‍` use, and should be protected from any disruption.

The mayor also requested the Dhaka Metropolitan Police not to install any unplanned police boxes as part of advertising campaigns for any company. "It spoils the beauty of the city and causes visual pollution."

At the same event, a police box installed near the footbridge was also inaugurated.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal thanked the DNCC mayor for constructing the traffic police box with modern facilities.

Earlier, the old Farmgate footbridge was demolished nearly one and a half years ago for the construction of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway which was partially opened on September 2.

The construction of the new footbridge began in May last year, with funding provided by the Bangladesh Bridge Authority.

The design of the footbridge is inspired by the architectural practice of Louis I Kahn, the architect of the National Parliament Building,  the DNCC sources said.