Zebra crossing and sign, Dhaka
A painted crossing and sign in front of a school or hospital, and a week of teaching drivers to stop.
- 0/10 people
- About 16 hours
- 25
- points
About this task
On Dhaka’s busy roads, many schools have no safe crossing in front. With the municipality’s or union council’s permission, a painted zebra crossing in front of a school or hospital, a “School ahead, slow down” sign on both sides, and a week of volunteers at school times teaching children to cross and drivers to stop.
Why it matters
A large share of those killed on Bangladesh’s roads are pedestrians, and many of them are children. A marked crossing and a sign in front of a school warn the driver in time.
What changes after
The crossing is visible, the sign stands, and the school committee takes on keeping a crossing guard at school times.
Who can join
Over 18; best with someone who has painted roads. Older pupils can join the practice week.
Step by step
0 of 4 steps doneHow to do it, in order.About 18 hours across all steps
- 1
Permission from the municipality or union
A written application to the municipality or union council; keep the copy of approval.
120 min
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet - 2
Paint it
Thermoplastic or road paint, at the quietest hour, with the lane closed.
240 minরাস্তার রঙ, ব্রাশ, টেপ
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet - 3
Put up the sign
One on each side, 50 to 100 metres before the school.
120 minসাইনবোর্ড
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet - 4
A week of volunteers
Volunteers at the crossing at school opening and closing for a week.
600 minভেস্ট
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet
What you need
- Road paint · ১০ লিটার
- Sign · ২টি
When it counts as done
- The crossing is visible and the sign stands
Proof required
- Before photo
- After photo
- Receipt
Safety
Reflective vests while working on the road, and one person always watching the traffic. Paint only with the road closed or at the quietest hour.
The full guide
What it takes, and how to do it
Never done this before? No matter. The cost, the timeline, who does what, whom to speak to, the day hour by hour, the risks and ready words to send are all here.
- About
- ৳11,500–22,000
- People
- 10
- Time in all
- 16 hours
- Age
- 18 or older
Best timeThe dry season, November to March. Paint needs a dry road and a few hours of sun. Dawn on a holiday has the least traffic.
PermissionWritten permission is a must: the municipality or city corporation in town, the union council or upazila engineer's office (LGED) in villages, Roads and Highways for a highway. Tell the traffic police too.
What it costs
Prices differ by district and season; this is a 2026 estimate. Keep receipts and put them in the proof.
| What | How much | Price |
|---|---|---|
| White road-marking paint10 litresWhere: Paint shop | 10 litres | ৳350–600 |
| Thinner2 litresWhere: Paint shop | 2 litres | ৳200–350 |
| Rollers and wide brushes4Where: Paint shop | 4 | ৳150–350 |
| Masking tape6 rollsWhere: Hardware shop | 6 rolls | ৳80–150 |
| Reflective sign with pole2Where: Signboard and welding shop | 2 | ৳2,500–5,000 |
| Reflective vests6Where: Hardware or safety-gear shop | 6 | ৳150–300 |
| Cement and sand (to set the poles)1 lotWhere: Building-materials shop | 1 lot | ৳600–1,200 |
| Total (about) | ৳11,500–22,000 | |
Getting ready, step by step
3–4 weeks before
- Agree the spot with the school or hospital: where children actually cross.
- Apply in writing to the authority; keep the received copy.
- Order the signs (they take 1–2 weeks).
7 days before
- Make sure the written permission is in hand; if not, move the date.
- Tell the traffic police the date and time.
- Buy paint, tape, rollers, vests.
The day before
- Check the weather; postpone if rain.
- Mark out the stripes in chalk (by day, with a lookout).
On the day
- At dawn: close the lane, sweep, tape, paint.
- Guard the paint until dry.
- Put up the signs.
The week after
- Two volunteers in vests at the crossing at school start and finish.
- Ask the school committee to take on a standing crossing guard.
Who does what
Lead1
Permission, police and school; carries the permission letter.
Painting team4
Sweep, tape, paint; best with one experienced painter.
Traffic watch2
Flags and vests at both ends to slow traffic; nobody alone mid-road.
Sign team2
Holes, poles, cement; 50–100 metres before the school on each side.
Photos and receipts1
Before and after photos, receipts, the permission letter.
Whom to speak to first
Engineering section of the municipality/city corporation, or the union council
- Why
- Road markings are theirs; no painting without permission.
- How
- A written application with photos of the spot and the school's letter of support.
School head teacher or hospital administration
- Why
- They know where people cross; their letter strengthens the application.
- How
- Meet and ask for a support letter; ask for pupils in the practice week.
Traffic police or police station
- Why
- Help control traffic while painting.
- How
- Inform them 7 days ahead with a copy of the permission.
The day, hour by hour
- 05:45Gather, put on vests, post watchers at both ends.
- 06:00Close one lane and sweep the dust off.
- 06:20Tape along the chalk lines.
- 06:40Paint the first lane; watch continues.
- 07:30Second lane; rope or bricks round the first.
- 08:30Dig and set the sign poles in cement.
- 10:00When dry, lift the tape; second coat if needed.
- 11:00After photos, clean up, reopen the road.
How to take the proof
- Before and after from the same roadside angle.
- A clear photo of the written permission.
- Photos of both signs with the school behind.
- Receipts for paint and signs.
- One photo from the practice week, without children's faces.
Common first-time mistakes
- Painting without permission; it gets removed or causes trouble.
- Using wall paint; it wears off in weeks.
- Painting over dust.
- Putting the sign right at the gate; drivers see it too late.
What can go wrong, and what to do
Permission has not come in time
Do not paint. Move the date and follow up at the office.
Fast vehicles will not slow
Stop, everyone onto the pavement; get police help.
Rain before the paint dries
Keep the lane closed and give a second coat on a dry day.
Someone is hurt
Move them off the road and give first aid; if serious, 999.
Ready words to send
Copy, fill the [brackets], send.
Volunteer call
Hello. We will paint a zebra crossing in front of [school]; permission is granted. Date: [date], 5:45 to 11 am. Needed: 10 people over 18. Tell us if you have painted roads. Vests provided. Wear old clothes. The week after, there are crossing shifts at school start and finish. Sign up on the Desher Kaj task page.
Application for permission
Date: [date] To, [Mayor/Chairman/Executive Engineer], [municipality/union council/office] Subject: Application to paint a volunteer zebra crossing and warning signs in front of [school]. Sir/Madam, Many children cross [road] in front of [school] every day, but there is no marked crossing. We, volunteers from the area, wish to paint a zebra crossing there at our own cost and put up “School ahead, slow down” signs on both sides. The work would be at dawn on [proposed date], when traffic is light. We will follow the size and rules your office sets. The school's letter of support and photos are attached. We request your kind permission. Yours sincerely, [name], team lead [address], [mobile number] Attached: school's letter, photos of the spot
After it is done
- If the paint fades in six months, ask the authority to repaint.
- Keep after the school committee to post a guard at closing time.
- If a sign bends or gets covered, report it with a photo.
Questions people ask
Can we paint without permission?
No. Road markings are the authority’s; attach the written permission to the proof.
Can I join if I cannot stay the whole time?
Yes. Say in your request which step or which hours you can do. The lead will give that step to you.