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Broad outlook for wider road

AVIK SANWAR RAHMAN
Setting another example of unity and good spirit, the residents of Ward 49 have decided to donate land for widening the Dhanmondi road 15.
"The residents of this ward have agreed to tear down the boundary walls to give some land for the road as they believe that broad roads would increase the value of their land," said Abul Khair Bablu, the commissioner of Ward 49.
The locals of Dhanmondi followed the example of the residents of Kathal Bagan and Shantinagar who had earlier made land contribution to help widening of the roads in their areas.
The reports of frequent earthquakes in Bangladesh also contributed to the idea of widening Dhanmondi Road 15.
"The widening of the road would minimize the risk of earthquakes which is of grave concern to the city dwellers," said Mokhlesur Rahman Manju, a local resident.
"It was not an easy task making this move. We faced a lot of resistance from the locals. The people were not willing to cooperate with us," said the Ward 49 commissioner. No one was ready to give away any land and a question arose regarding what contribution would be made by the people who did not live by the road.
All the contradictions fused as one of the local residents came up to contribute a portion of his land to help the widening of the road.
"People are willing to help but a good leadership is needed for the follow up work. It was a matter of building confidence within the community people. When people knew that my contribution was put into good use, they felt confident that their contribution will be as well," said Iftekhar Hossain Coco, a local
resident of Dhanmondi Road 15.
"We are compensating the contributors of land for the damage incurred in breaking walls and relocating gas and water lines by reconstructing the walls and replacing the pipes. The local community is contributing money for this purpose," said the commissioner.
The broadening of road meant that the electric poles had to be relocated and carpeting of roads re-done. The local people requested WAPDA and Dhaka City Corporation to take care of this work.
"We need the cooperation of WAPDA and DCC to relocate the electric poles and carpet the roads so that the widening would be complete. Any delay in the relocation work would have frustrated those within the com-
munity," said Nazrul Islam Deelu of the road development committee of Ward 49.
After the successful completion of the work of Mitali Road and Road 15 the residents of other roads have also come forward to get their roads broadened.
"We will take other roads one by one like the Almadina road, Haji Afsaruddin Road, Hatembag Road, Purba Rayer Bazar Road and all the by lanes," said local commissioner Bablu.
"The condition of by lanes are bad and rickshaws cannot enter the lanes," said Mokhlesur Rahman Manju, a local resident. "The widening of the roads will certainly reduce the traffic congestion caused in the area."