The Nabinagar-Chandra highway in Savar has deteriorated into a hazardous, war-torn-like condition, with a 500-metre stretch riddled with large potholes and water accumulation, causing daily accidents.
The road’s condition has worsened during the ongoing monsoon season, yet authorities have been slow to act.
A visit to the bypass section of the highway on Wednesday, July 9, revealed the extent of the damage. Locals and commuters blame the poor coordination between the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) and the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA), which is overseeing the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway project, for the road’s deplorable state.
Monir Hossain, a resident of the Ashulia bypass area, expressed frustration, telling Jago News, “Is this a road for a civilised country? It feels like a punishment. Those in air-conditioned offices need to wake up.” He criticised the authorities for neglecting urgent repairs while responding to complaints with empty promises.
Locals report frequent accidents, with vehicles overturning after hitting potholes, leading to hours-long traffic jams.
Suruj, a driver for Welcome Paribahan, said, “A 10-minute journey now takes two to two-and-a-half hours. The situation is worsening daily.”
Pedestrian Abir added, “In the last 24 hours alone, at least four trucks and buses and over 10 rickshaws have overturned. It’s terrifying to travel here.”
The Manikganj division of the RHD is responsible for the highway’s maintenance, but the BBA’s expressway construction, ongoing since November 2022, has complicated matters.
Both authorities are deflecting blame. RHD Sub-Divisional Engineer Debashish Saha stated, “This section is affected by the BBA’s project. We’ve informed their project director and the contractor to address it, and we expect quick resolution.”
Meanwhile, BBA’s Ashulia Elevated Expressway Project Director Md Shafiqul Islam acknowledged temporary disruptions due to the project, saying, “Our work is elevated, not on the road itself, but we’ve asked the contractor to repair the damage. Action should be taken soon.”
The Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway, approved in 2017 by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), was initially slated for completion by June 2022.
Delays pushed the deadline to June 2026. Managed by China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CMC), the project has reached 37 per cent physical progress and 50 per cent overall progress.
As commuters endure daily risks and delays, the lack of immediate repairs continues to fuel public outrage.