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Construction of the Moghbazar-Mouchak (combined) flyover project was completed by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) in June 2017 after a long delay and cost escalation.
Commuters and residents living in areas adjacent to the 8.7-kilometre project areas had suffered for nearly six years though the project was supposed to be completed in a couple of years' time. The project cost also soared to Tk 11.35 billion from the original estimate of Tk 7.72 billion.
The flyover, no doubt, has eased the traffic movement, to some extent. But, at times, it turns out to be a useless structure when traffic gridlock engulfs most part of it.
Soon after the dusk, darkness fully engulfs all three segments---Moghbazar-Tejgaon, Mouchak-Malibagh rail-crossing and Mouchak-Banglamotor-of the flyover. Though lampposts are there, lights are not switched on after dusk. Why? None has ever felt the need to give an explanation.
Soon after opening the flyovers, the lights used to be switched regularly after dusk for about two weeks. This paper front paged pictures, at least, on two different days showing the ghostly state of the flyover during the night. There were accidents on a number of occasions on the flyover in darkness. But none seemed concerned!
Forget about news photo or report on the state of the flyover after dusk, for those might have escaped the notice of the people who matter. But, it is unlikely that none of the officials of the government agency that had built the flyover or now responsible for its maintenance has not crossed the flyover even once after dusk. It is also unlikely that none of the ministers or top officials of the government has ever passed through it in the evening. Yet nobody has ever felt the need for ensuring streetlights on the flyover.
The Banani-Mirpur DOHS flyover also faces similar situation after dusk.
It is not actually clear who is responsible for proper maintenance of the flyovers in Dhaka barring the one that runs between Gulistan and Jatrabari. It is, however, certain that the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) is not responsible for the Moghbazar-Mouchak flyover network. One evening, this scribe had sent a message to late DNCC mayor Annisul Huq some months after opening of the flyover about its state soon after dusk. He had responded immediately and asked the head of the department concerned at the DNCC to look into the matter. Within a few minutes, that official called and informed me that the maintenance of the flyover was not their business and yet they would contact the relevant agency and request it to take necessary action. Actually, the DNCC did write a letter to the LGED, the agency that had built the flyover.
There was no result. However, after a couple of months, the street lights were restored only to be snapped again after a couple of weeks. That was the end of it.
Residents of DNCC do still feel the loss of one individual---mayor Annis as they firmly believe that none has ever taken his/her duties and responsibilities so seriously as Anis did. All his good works, unfortunately, are almost lost. The parking of trucks and covered vans illegally on Tejgaon link road and buses on the busy road in front of the Mohakhali Bus Terminal is back.
The Dhaka city would not have adjudged as the second worst city in the world had the people concerned carried out their responsibilities properly and cared a little bit more to address the problems facing it.