Dhaka Tangail Highway Turns Into a Death Trap

A huge hole has formed in the middle of the Dhaka Tangail highway in the Chandra area of Kaliakair upazila in Gazipur district. The concrete of the road has broken and the rods inside have come out. This death trap makes it very risky for long distance vehicles to pass. The hole is most dangerous at night. Drivers and passengers fear a major accident at any time.

On the spot visits and photos shared on social media show a hole about one hand deep on an important highway like Chandra. The road rods stick out inside the hole and weeds have grown beside it. Auto rickshaws, buses and trucks still pass over it at great risk.

A local passerby wrote on social media with anger. He wrote that the road at Chandra, an important road, has broken again and the rods below have come out. He said nobody has repaired it so far. He asked the officials in charge if roots have grown into their chairs and if they never want to leave their seats. He wrote that he wants to see a permanent repair here today. Otherwise, he said, people will start a movement against them.

Bus driver Mr. Jahangir Alam, who drives on the Dhaka Tangail route, said the hole in the Chandra area has been there for many days. He said a driver can still see it and drive in the day, but it cannot be seen at night. He said a vehicle may overturn if it falls into the hole suddenly.

Auto driver Mr. Rafiqul Islam said his auto fell into this hole yesterday and a wheel broke. He said the rods stick out and cut the tyres.

Passenger Ms. Ayesha Siddika said this is a highway, so a hole should not be there. She asked if the authorities are asleep.

Local people have asked Gazipur Roads and Highways Department and Kaliakair Upazila Executive Officer Mr. A H M Fakhrul Hossain to act quickly. Locals demand that authorities repair this death trap without delay and find a permanent solution. Otherwise, they say, a major accident that takes lives may happen at any time.