Highways to northern dists in chaos

It now takes 12 to 14 hours to travel between Dhaka and Bogra instead of 7 hours

Road communication between the capital and the northern districts of the country is facing serious disruptions due to dilapidated highways, delay in road construction work at various points and inclement weather. Time for travel by road between Dhaka and many northern and southern cities have increased by 4 to 6 hours due to these problems, said commuters and people in the transport sector.

The incessant rains for the last few days have added to the woes, causing traffic congestions at various locations on highways as well as damage to the roads, with no immediate steps being taken by the authorities concerned to ease the sufferings of the commuters. Transport operators have also blamed the lack of proper monitoring by highway police for the prolonged sufferings on the road. Traffic congestions, particularly on Dhaka-Bogra Highway, have become a regular phenomenon causing delay in the journey of people and carrying of goods from different northern districts of the country to Dhaka.

Due to the road conditions, it now takes about 12 to 14 hours for a vehicle to travel between Dhaka and Bogra instead of the usual seven hours, almost doubling the travel time. As the road connects Dhaka with 16 northern districts, thousands of passengers are suffering due to the traffic congestions for the last 10 days which are primarily being caused by road repairing work which is currently ongoing at three points in Sirajganj on the Dhaka-Bogra Highway.  

Frequent road accidents and breakdowns of vehicles are also causing traffic chaos. Highway police and the Roads and Highways Department said it is happening frequently in the absence of four lanes on this highway.

The vehicular movement comes to a halt on the highway from Bangabandhu Bridge to Chandaikona and a long tailback is created on the highway everyday due to the repair work of Nalka bridge, a bridge near aristocrat hotel, and work of road at Hatikumrul intersection in Sirajganj.

 The traffic congestion on the highway also stranded goods laden trucks that transport fresh vegetable and other perishable goods to the capital.

  Abu Hena Mostafa Kamal, executive engineer of Roads and Highways in Sirajganj, termed the sufferings of the people temporary and said the movement of transports would become smoother after the completion of repair work within 10 to 12 days.

He said the roads and highways is carrying out work at two bridges -- one at Nalka and another in front of the aristocrat near Hatikumrul intersection.

Replying to a question, he said that four-lane highways are needed for smooth movement of the large number of vehicles plying from 16 northern districts to Dhaka.

Mostafizur Rahman, police superintendent (traffic) of Bogra zone, said traffic congestion is taking place because of closure of one lane of the highway for repairing of road and bridges at three points in Sirajganj.

“There is no alternative for the people of the northern regions but to face the problem for some time to ensure their future smooth journey to and from the capital and the northern districts,” he said.

He further said that the work is being expedited because the highway, if not repaired before the Eid-ul-Azha, will cause further sufferings for people travelling during the Eid vacation.

The regional highway police chief said Dhaka-Borga Highway needs four lanes immediately to facilitate smooth journey of transports to 20 districts, including four in the Khulna region.

A truck driver frequenting on the Dhaka-Borga route said they are facing traffic congestions for the last 10 days and don’t know when the situation would improve.

“My bus was stuck for three hours on a mile-long tailback,” said a passenger traveling to Bogra.

Meanwhile, our Tangail correspondent adds, traffic congestions were seen on the Dhaka-Tangail-Bangabandhu Bridge Highway yesterday morning. The congestion and slow movement was observed on a 20-kilometer stretch of the highway from Zamorki to Korotia. The heavy traffic congestion was created as works of four lanes are progressing on the highway.

Continuous rainfall for a couple of days, dilapidated, narrow road and the Dherua level crossing also contributed to the congestion. The congestion, however, eased at about 10AM.

 

Highways to northern dists in chaos

It now takes 12 to 14 hours to travel between Dhaka and Bogra instead of 7 hours

Road communication between the capital and the northern districts of the country is facing serious disruptions due to dilapidated highways, delay in road construction work at various points and inclement weather. Time for travel by road between Dhaka and many northern and southern cities have increased by 4 to 6 hours due to these problems, said commuters and people in the transport sector. The incessant rains for the last few days have added to the woes, causing traffic congestions at various locations on highways as well as damage to the roads, with no immediate steps being taken by the authorities concerned to ease the sufferings of the commuters. Transport operators have also blamed the lack of proper monitoring by highway police for the prolonged sufferings on the road. Traffic congestions, particularly on Dhaka-Bogra Highway, have become a regular phenomenon causing delay in the journey of people and carrying of goods from different northern districts of the country to Dhaka. Due to the road conditions, it now takes about 12 to 14 hours for a vehicle to travel between Dhaka and Bogra instead of the usual seven hours, almost doubling the travel time. As the road connects Dhaka with 16 northern districts, thousands of passengers are suffering due to the traffic congestions for the last 10 days which are primarily being caused by road repairing work which is currently ongoing at three points in Sirajganj on the Dhaka-Bogra Highway. Frequent road accidents and breakdowns of vehicles are also causing traffic chaos. Highway police and the Roads and Highways Department said it is happening frequently in the absence of four lanes on this highway. The vehicular movement comes to a halt on the highway from Bangabandhu Bridge to Chandaikona and a long tailback is created on the highway everyday due to the repair work of Nalka bridge, a bridge near aristocrat hotel, and work of road at Hatikumrul intersection in Sirajganj. The traffic congestion on the highway also stranded goods laden trucks that transport fresh vegetable and other perishable goods to the capital. Abu Hena Mostafa Kamal, executive engineer of Roads and Highways in Sirajganj, termed the sufferings of the people temporary and said the movement of transports would become smoother after the completion of repair work within 10 to 12 days. He said the roads and highways is carrying out work at two bridges -- one at Nalka and another in front of the aristocrat near Hatikumrul intersection. Replying to a question, he said that four-lane highways are needed for smooth movement of the large number of vehicles plying from 16 northern districts to Dhaka. Mostafizur Rahman, police superintendent (traffic) of Bogra zone, said traffic congestion is taking place because of closure of one lane of the highway for repairing of road and bridges at three points in Sirajganj. There is no alternative for the people of the northern regions but to face the problem for some time to ensure their future smooth journey to and from the capital and the northern districts, he said. He further said that the work is being expedited because the highway, if not repaired before the Eid-ul-Azha, will cause further sufferings for people travelling during the Eid vacation. The regional highway police chief said Dhaka-Borga Highway needs four lanes immediately to facilitate smooth journey of transports to 20 districts, including four in the Khulna region. A truck driver frequenting on the Dhaka-Borga route said they are facing traffic congestions for the last 10 days and dont know when the situation would improve. My bus was stuck for three hours on a mile-long tailback, said a passenger traveling to Bogra. Meanwhile, our Tangail correspondent adds, traffic congestions were seen on the Dhaka-Tangail-Bangabandhu Bridge Highway yesterday morning. The congestion and slow movement was observed on a 20-kilometer stretch of the highway from Zamorki to Korotia. The heavy traffic congestion was created as works of four lanes are progressing on the highway. Continuous rainfall for a couple of days, dilapidated, narrow road and the Dherua level crossing also contributed to the congestion. The congestion, however, eased at about 10AM.