With an aim to build a pedestrian-friendly walkway in Dhaka Metropolitan area, Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) has proposed three-lane footpaths alongside of different regional connectivity roads.

The width of each three-lane footpath will be between 25 feet to 10 feet which include Frontage Zone, Through Route and Utility Zone.

Apart from main roads, these modern footpaths will be constructed in other roads including local roads if there is enough space.

According to the draft of the Rajuk’s fresh Detailed Area Plan (DAP), the width of footpath for type-1 regional connectivity road [total width of the road is more than 170 feet] will have 25 feet wide footpath in each side.

In case of type- 2 and type-3 regional connectivity roads [total width of roads from 100 to 170 feet], there will be 15 feet wide pedestrian-friendly footpaths in both sides of the road.

Town planner, Hisham Uddin Chisty, also the DAP consultant, told Bangladesh Post, “We have planned to build such footpaths where is enough space. The width of the footpaths will be extended or shortened, considering to the total width of the road.”

Replying to a query, he said, “There are five to six categories of road in our proposed DAP. The width of the footpaths for each type of roads will be different. In case of narrow roads, the footpaths will be constructed in one side.”

“These types of pedestrian-friendly footpaths will be available in both sides of the road in Mirpur, Gulshan, Banani, Uttara, Manik Mia Avenue, Bijoy Sarani and other areas in Dhaka,” he added.

According to DAP’s Transportation research report, the first part or Frontage Zone of the footpath is the extended part of the building which will be at least three feet wide.

The second part or ‘Through Route’ will be walkway for pedestrians, which will be six to 12 feet wide.

And the third part of the footpath or ‘Utility Zone’ will be used for electric pole, bench for sitting, greenery and bi-cycle parking, which will be three to 4.5 feet wide.

The draft DAP is expected to be finalised by December this year, sources said.

On September 6, Rajuk uploaded the draft of DAP for public review on its website.

By logging on to the Rajuk website www.rajuk.gov.bd, anybody can give their suggestion on the draft DAP till November 4, Rajuk officials said.

About the people’s suggestion regarding the draft, the consultant of DAP, said, “We have received at least 300 different suggestions from the people through e-mail. Apart from giving suggestions, many of them have appreciated the proposed draft.”

About the revised DAP, Rajuk town planner Ashraful Islam told Bangladesh Post, “Dhaka is an overpopulated city where a plan implementation is very tough. Keeping all the matters in mind, we have made the draft to make Dhaka livable for all.”  

“In this proposed plan, we have kept more open spaces, greenery, wide footpaths beside roads, parks, playgrounds, wetlands and agricultural lands,” he added.

General Secretary of Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP), Dr Adil Mohammad Khan, told Bangladesh Post, “The footpaths will be established in every possible place. The footpaths will be constructed without demolishing any building of the city dwellers. The footpaths will be widened in a planned way in those places where it is applicable.”