Helemul Alam

Once a bustling thoroughfare just four to five years ago, the road stretching from the Dayaganj crossing to Jurain Railgate has now turned into a neglected and damaged route after Bangladesh Railway built a boundary wall along the rail line, significantly narrowing the road.

After decades of delays, the National Urban Development Policy-2025 has finally been approved, which aims to guide the country’s rapid urbanisation in a more planned and sustainable manner.

With 68 new dengue cases reported in the last 24 hours till yesterday, the total number of cases this year reached 1,02,861, the second-highest tally recorded in Bangladesh over the past 25 years.

Although dengue cases have declined significantly due to the current cold weather, the country has already recorded 412 deaths and 1,02,673 cases as of December 29 this year.

With 70,402 dengue cases reported from divisions outside Dhaka out of a total 101,597 nationwide as of December 20, the mosquito-borne disease has spread far beyond the capital this year.

With three more dengue deaths reported yesterday, the total number of fatalities this year has risen to 401 – the third-highest since Bangladesh began recording dengue deaths in 2000.

Fifteen-year-old Rahat Miaji, who was recovering from severe electrocution near a madrasa in Chauddogram, Cumilla, has fallen into danger once again after contracting dengue.

The urgency of a central authority heightened after a recent 5.7-magnitude earthquake