Every person needs at least one hour physical activity for healthy life. As enough open space is not available in present urban life, so city dwellers are denied from this opportunity. Especially children are the worst victim. Lack of physical activity is causing them both physical and mental health problems. Providing enough open space is a time consuming process. But walk to school can be a good way for physical activity.  But lack of good walking environment discourages students and guardians to walk to school.  on 17^th January on 11 AM, students of Alif Ideal Public School and Work for a better Bangladesh Trust jointly organized a human chain on ‘Demand of Safe Walking Route to School’.

Atiqur Rahman, Project officer, Work for a better Bangladesh Trust, said that, daily everyone needs at least 1 hour physical activity. As we do not have enough opportunity, so we should walk to school to ensure good health. If there is good walking condition then people will be encouraged to walk and it will also help to reduce congestion and fuel consumption.

Maruf Hossain, Program Manager, Work for a better Bangladesh Trust, said that, the high usage of private car has increased the problem in a great extent. Study shows that, 95% children walk to school in Rayerbazar area and 77.38% and 73.21% children face problem from speed of cars and garbage on the road. If Rayerbazar to Sankar area is made pedestrian friendly it can be a model for other areas.

Jewel Hasan Raj, Head Master, Alif Ideal Public School, said that, it is important to take joint initiative to ensure a safe city for the future generation. It is important focus on greenery rather than focusing on concrete to make a city liveable. Government has announced 40% quota for local students, it should be implemented properly.

Naznin Kabir, Deputy Program Manager, Work for a better Bangladesh Trust, said that, 30% students in Dhaka walk to school. S parents try to admit their children according to their choice; sometimes those are far from their residence. This leads to the need of cars and also to traffic congestion. Some has false sense of pride related with cars. But lack of walking environment is also a reason of the car and rickshaw dependency.

Senior Project Officer Ziaur Rahman, Assistant Advocacy Officer Naima Akter, Tanjida Haq from Work for a better Bangladesh Trust were present in the program. Besides, more than hundred teachers and students of Alif Ideal Public School attended the human chain.