The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has begun constructing a ward office occupying the footpath and a part of the Pragati Sarani near Baridhara point without assessing its impact on traffic and pedestrian movement.

Experts warned that building such an establishment on one of the busiest roads in the Baridhara diplomatic zone will worsen traffic congestion and disrupt city life.

Initially, DNCC planned to set up a garbage depot at the site but changed the plan following protests from residents, who complained about the occupation of the footpath. Despite the objections, the DNCC later decided to turn the spot into an office for the city corporation's employees.

Adil Mohammed Khan, president of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP), said building an office on a busy road is "equivalent to committing a crime" as it will severely disrupt vehicular and pedestrian movement.

He said DNCC already has offices elsewhere or could easily rent one instead of occupying a public road. Khan also urged the government to stop such illogical constructions, saying the current city corporation administration seems to be repeating mistakes made by previous ones.

Contacted, DNCC Administrator Mohammad Azaz said he had decided in principle not to allow any establishment on the spot since it could create problems for vehicles and pedestrians.

He said he would visit the site soon and that he was not in favour of constructing any establishment there. He said DNCC is searching for an alternative location for both the garbage depot and the office.

The administrator, however, did not clarify whether the current project has been abandoned.

A visit to the site yesterday morning revealed that DNCC has already started construction of the Ward 18 office, occupying around 1,000 square feet of the footpath on the road from the US embassy towards Kalachandpur.

Concrete has been poured and iron rods for pillars installed. A signboard at the site identifies it as a DNCC construction project, though no workers or officials were present at the time.

Locals have expressed their opposition by writing protest messages on the signboard with marker pens, such as "You can't build an office by blocking the road" and "Six trees have been cut down here"

Pedestrians also criticised the project. "If the city corporation itself grabs footpaths, where will ordinary citizens go for justice?" said Shamsul Alam, an office employee in the area.

His colleague, Tarknath Debnath, added, "Almost every road has encroachments. No major street has remained free from grabbers and hawkers. This construction should stop immediately so pedestrians can walk safely."

The De Mazenod Church and St Eugene's School are located opposite the site. Teachers and students of the school, on October 21, formed a human chain protesting the construction.

Md Shamsul Hoque, professor of civil engineering at Buet, said constructing establishments that obstruct roads and footpaths increases the risk of accidents.

"This project will not only disrupt traffic and pedestrian movement but also create safety risks in an important diplomatic zone," he said.