Unplanned growth of clinics, diagnostic centres in Bogura

A large number of clinics and diagnostic centres have been established in an unplanned manner in Bogura city. Most of these facilities lack designated parking spaces. While a few have garages, they are practically of no use. As a result, traffic congestion has become a regular and distressing issue for the public.

Locals complain that due to the absence of proper infrastructure, parking has become a serious problem, causing immense difficulties for patients, their families, pedestrians, drivers, and city residents. There is a glaring lack of planned initiatives in the construction of clinic and diagnostic center buildings. The burden of these planning failures is falling on service-seekers and passersby alike.

The concentration of private hospitals in Bogura began in the Latifpur Colony area along Sherpur Road. From this area to the Mofizpaglar Mor in Sutrapur — a stretch of around two kilometers — at least 20 clinics have been established. Due to the lack of space in front of these facilities, traffic congestion is a daily occurrence. Despite the ongoing problem, no significant administrative action has been taken, either now or in the past, to resolve the issue.

Two major institutions—Popular Diagnostic Center and Doctors Clinic—are located in the Thonthonia area of Sherpur Road. Every day, a large number of people visit these facilities. Additionally, there is a bus stand between the two, making the area even more congested. Any vehicle, large or small, passing through Thonthonia is bound to face severe traffic jams. Many locals prefer to use the inner roads of the area to avoid this congestion. Illegal parking and sidewalk encroachments have made the city’s streets increasingly unbearable.

During a visit to the Thonthonia area on Sunday (June 29) afternoon, it was observed that two private cars belonging to doctors were parked illegally, occupying nearly half of the road space in front of Popular Diagnostic Center. Several security guards of the facility were seen managing these vehicles. Traffic jams occurred repeatedly due to these two cars.

Speaking to auto-rickshaw driver Liton Hossain, he said that every day from evening until around 10:30 p.m., the area in front of Popular Diagnostic Center and Doctors Clinic experiences severe traffic congestion. A similar situation prevails in front of Ibn Sina Diagnostic Center in the Kanchgari area. Numerous vehicles are routinely parked on the road in front of these facilities, leading to long-standing public suffering.

At least 20 residents of Bogura city, including Mizanur Rahman and Alal Hossain, stated that most clinics and diagnostic centers in the city have no parking arrangements at all. Vehicles must be parked on the road, which is unsafe. When visiting or accompanying patients, there is a constant risk of vehicle theft. Although there is a parking garage beside Popular Diagnostic Center, it is poorly managed and does little to alleviate the traffic problem.

They also pointed out that the number of clinics and diagnostic centers is growing rapidly, and so is the parking problem. This is contributing to increasingly severe traffic congestion on the roads.

As a solution, they suggested that proper parking arrangements must be established near these healthcare facilities. Either local authorities or the clinic management should oversee the parking garages. Moreover, clinics and diagnostic centers that cannot accommodate adjacent parking should be relocated to more suitable areas. Only then can the traffic issues surrounding these establishments be resolved.

When contacted, Bogura Deputy Commissioner Hosna Afroza told Views Bangladesh, “Parking vehicles on the road is illegal. I will instruct the traffic police to take action against illegal parking. If the problem persists, we will conduct raids ourselves.”