Lack of road safety causes accidents on Rokeya Sarani
Syed Tashfin Chowdhury
After a road accident that severely injured a schoolboy three weeks ago, the authorities promised to take measures to prevent accidents on Rokeya Sarani near Sher-e-bangla Nagar Government Boys High School, but nothing has been done so far. The school administration and teachers said they are waiting for the road safety measures promised by the ward commissioner and the officials of Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) and the traffic division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). Nahid Hasan, a student of Class III, was struck by a speeding microbus near the school on May 15. The 10-year-old boy survived with numerous fractures in bones. He may become crippled for life, said Mosharraf Hossain, one of his teachers. The school had lost another student a few years back when a truck hit him on the same road. The teachers said lack of necessary traffic policemen, road sign and zebra crossing on the road cause frequent accidents in the area. After the May 15 accident, local ward (no 41) commissioner Abu Bakar Siddique visited the school and assured the teachers and students of taking necessary steps with the help of DCC and DMP, to ensure safety of the students. "But they did not take any step in this regard," said Nazmun Nahar Shaheen, headmistress of the school, expressing utter dissatisfaction. The school administration received a letter from the DMP traffic division stating that two additional traffic policemen would be deployed there. They also got an assurance of installing traffic signs and zebra crossing near the school by May 21. Currently, only one traffic constable controls traffic near the school. A traffic sergeant usually performs his duty at nearby Agargaon bus-stand. But they cannot check reckless driving of buses and trucks on the VIP road. After every accident, the students vented their anguish by damaging vehicles on the road. They protested the inactive role of the traffic department and the DCC. The parents also expressed their resentment on the issue. Most parents now accompany their sons while going to school and returning home. "I have to this for safety of my son," said Archana, mother of a student. Senior officials at the DMP traffic division said they have already approved the plan for taking necessary road safety measures near the school. The ward commissioner, when contacted, assured of keeping his promises. "We will implement the procedures very soon," said Siddique, the commissioner.
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