Adviser stuck in traffic while inspecting dilapidated Dhaka–Sylhet highway

Road Transport and Bridges Ministry Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan was caught in a 15-kilometre traffic congestion in Brahmanbaria while visiting the dilapidated Dhaka–Sylhet highway.

The stretch from Ashuganj's Sohagpur to Shahbazpur in Sarail upazila has been facing severe gridlock since late last night, causing immense suffering for commuters and long-distance travellers.

Photo: Masuk Hridoy

To inspect the area, the adviser reached Bhairab by train and began his journey toward Brahmanbaria by road, but was stranded in a long tailback near Bahadurpur area of Ashuganj.

Photo: Collected

Ashuganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge, Khairul Alam, said, "The adviser started his journey toward Sarail but got stuck in a long tailback near the Maitree Stambha area in Ashuganj."

"The adviser left Ashuganj around 10:15am but could not reach the Sarail-Bishwa Road intersection even by 12:30pm. In over two hours, his car managed to move only about 50 metres."

He added that the adviser has now set out for the Sarail-Bishwa Road intersection on a motorcycle.

Photo: Masuk Hridoy

According to sources, work to upgrade the 51-kilometre Ashuganj river port–Akhaura land port stretch into a four-lane highway has been progressing at a sluggish pace. Meanwhile, the 12-kilometre section from Ashuganj intersection to Sarail-Bishwa Road intersection has become riddled with potholes, turning the highway into a nightmare for travellers.

Locals said traffic congestion has been persistent for the past three days along this 12-kilometre stretch, causing extreme suffering for thousands of passengers and drivers. Many have had to spend nights inside their vehicles on the highway.

Sanjay Poddar, a passenger of Shyamoli Paribahan, said, "I boarded a bus from Fakirapul in Dhaka around 1:30am for Sunamganj. It's now 1:00pm, and we still haven't crossed the Sarail-Bishwa Road area. We spent the entire night inside the bus, enduring unbearable suffering. This highway has been in this condition for months, yet nobody seems to care. We suffer like this almost every day."

It now takes vehicles four to six hours to cross this portion. Temporary repair work is underway, but with one side of the road closed, traffic congestion has worsened over the last three days.

Brahmanbaria's Khatihata Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge Jahangir Alam said, "Poor road conditions are mainly responsible for the persistent traffic jam. Highway police are trying to keep vehicles moving."