In Chattogram, crossing the road has become an act of courage. Due to the lack of safe pedestrian infrastructure, city dwellers are forced to run across busy roads in front of speeding vehicles every day. The absence of foot overbridges, underpasses, and effective traffic signals has put pedestrians’ lives at continuous risk.
Over the past eight years, 662 people have died in road accidents in Chattogram Metropolitan City. In 2024 alone, 137 people were killed in road crashes, more than half of them pedestrians. These figures were revealed in a joint road safety report by the Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) and Chattogram City Corporation (CCC).
Minhajul Islam Tuhin, a resident of Halishahar, said he must cross three intersections every day on his way to the office. “Each time, I must stand with my hand raised. Dewanhat intersection is the most dangerous because the road is sloped and vehicles move at high speed. A foot overbridge is urgently needed there,” he added.
The situation is even more frightening for women and elderly pedestrians. Many of them are physically unable to run across the road quickly. Schoolteacher and entrepreneur Farhana Khanam Bubly said, “Women and elderly pedestrians cannot walk fast, yet vehicles do not stop. We are forced to cross the road by taking risks along with others.”
From morning to night, pedestrian crowds are constant at major areas such as Customs Circle, Nimtala Bishwaroad, Barik Building, Agrabad, Lalkhan Bazar, Nayabazar Bishwaroad, Tigerpass, GEC Circle, Gate No. 2, New Market, Chawkbazar, Oxygen, and Bahaddarhat. Yet, there are no effective safe crossing facilities at these crucial points. People wait by the roadside for an opportunity. As soon as vehicles slightly slow down, many suddenly try to run across.
Currently, there are only five-foot overbridges in the entire city, located at Katghar, EPZ, Cantonment, Muradpur, Chandgaon, and in front of Sanowara School in Ward No. 2.
Urban planning experts warn that this reflects deeper systemic failures. Assistant Professor Md. Shah Jalal Mishu of CUET says the crisis exposes weak urban planning, poor pedestrian-friendly design, and lax enforcement of traffic laws. “Many accidents never reach the news,” he noted. “But the damage continues silently.” He stressed the need for standard overpasses or underpasses at busy crossings and strict enforcement where zebra crossings exist.
Authorities say solutions are underway. CCC has proposed a smart traffic system and plans to build 38-foot overbridges across the city. Construction has begun in several areas, while tenders are in process for others. Officials promise relief, but for now, pedestrians continue to rely on instinct, speed and luck.
Until safety becomes a priority, crossing the road in Chattogram will remain less about walking and more about survival.
