Ensure safe footpaths for pedestrians

Footpaths are meant for pedestrians. However, if you walk around Dhaka today, you will see that most footpaths have been taken over by hawkers, illegal parking, construction materials, and small roadside shops. As a result, people are often forced to walk on the road, which is extremely dangerous and increases the risk of accidents every day.

The situation is even more difficult for people with disabilities, especially those who use wheelchairs. For them, moving along Dhaka's footpaths is nearly impossible. Many footpaths are uneven and poorly maintained, which creates serious obstacles. In many places, there are no wheelchair ramps at all, making it very hard for people with disabilities to move around independently. Every time they step outside, they face challenges that others may not even notice.

If we truly want a city that works for everyone, our footpaths must be clean, clear and safe. They should also be accessible and user-friendly for people with disabilities.

The Dhaka city corporations and other relevant authorities should take strong steps to remove illegal occupations from footpaths and ensure that they remain open and safe for all pedestrians.

Ridoy Pandey

Khilgaon, Dhaka