Tk17,000cr spent on roads and footpaths, yet 64% of Ctg streets lack pedestrian crossings

Over the past decade and a half, two major agencies have spent around Tk17,332 crore on road expansion, new construction, and footpath widening in Chattogram city. Yet, despite the huge spending, most of the city's streets remain chaotic, unsafe, and unfriendly to pedestrians.

According to internal surveys by the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA), 97% of city roads are partially encroached, and 71% of footpaths are either fully or partially occupied by illegal vendors, shops, or parked vehicles. Moreover, 64% of roads lack proper pedestrian crossings, leaving walkers to risk their lives in traffic.

Of the total expenditure, the CDA spent Tk12,358 crore on 24 projects, while the Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) spent Tk4,974 crore on 15 projects.

Encroachment and misuse are rampant across the city: footpaths in GEC Circle are occupied by hawkers, while parts of Sholoshahar, Bahaddarhat, and Jubilee Road are taken over by vendors and construction material shops. Streets near Chawk Bazar, Cheragi Pahar, and New Market remain permanently clogged with vans, parked vehicles, and roadside traders.

A preliminary CDA survey under the Chattogram Metropolitan Master Plan (2020-2041) revealed that the city has 1,442 kilometres of roads, of which 83% have footpaths – but most are unusable due to illegal occupation and poor condition.

A Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS) report shows that from 2017 to 2024, 662 people were killed in road accidents in Chattogram, including 368 pedestrians (56%). Pedestrian fatalities have risen 60% in eight years, making the city one of the 20 slowest in the world, ranked 12th.

Engineer Subhash Barua, vice-president of the Planned Chattogram Forum, told The Business Standard, "Despite massive investments in roads and flyovers, projects lack proper surveys, planning, and supervision. There's no sustainable implementation. Mismanagement continues at every level."

Dr Kazi Md Saifun Newaz, assistant professor at Buet's Accident Research Institute, said, "Pedestrians in Chattogram lack adequate walkways. Existing footpaths are broken and illegally occupied. As a result, people are forced to walk on roads, while 44% of drivers violate speed limits. Traffic management is outdated, and safety is not ensured."

CDA builds the roads, but once completed, management shifts to the City Corporation. CCC Chief Executive Officer Sheikh Muhammad Touhidul Islam said, "Our executive magistrates conduct regular eviction drives, and we plan to intensify them further."