Staff Reporter :
As numerous cracks and potholes have developed on different roads and highways across the country due to massive floodwaters and incessant rains, home-goers await a troublesome journey during the Eid-ul-Azha. The holyday will begin from September 1.
In case of further rain it will be a big challenge to ensure safe and comfortable journeys for the holidaymakers.
It is apprehended that homebound people will get stuck on different highways and roads as a large number of vehicles are already set to leave the capital for many destinations across the country ahead of the festival.
They will experience long tailback on Dhaka-North region, Dhaka-Chittagong, Dhaka-Mymensingh, Dhaka-Aricha, Dhaka-Sylhet and other highways and roads. And the people are worried about the imminent immeasurable sufferings.
Besides, the traffic is feared to move slowly at different vulnerable points of the roads and highways following heavy pressure of vehicles.
According to reports prepared by the field level officials and employees of Roads and Highway Department, the floodwater and heavy downpour damaged over 1,180 kilometres roads and highways of 39 districts in the country.
Floodwaters also damaged a large number of culverts and bridges causing high risk at different points of the roads and highways.
But these roads, highways and bridges damaged by the floods are yet to be repaired or reconstructed.
Talking to the media, Chief Engineer of Roads and Highways Department Ibne Alam Hasan said at least 19 points of the highways were washed out.
“It means that the floodwater washed away earth from the roads and highways, which turned into canals. The vehicular movement on those roads and highways has remained suspended. Besides, 23 other points have also remained under the floodwaters,” he added.
At present, the total length of the national highways is 3,790.86 km and that of the regional highways is 4,06.52 km, while district roads stretch for 13,126.13km.
Besides, at least 19 roads and highways have remained impassible due to floodwater. And a numerous number of big potholes have appeared on the surface of most of the roads and highways throughout the country.
Officials at the Roads and Highway Department on Thursday said the roads and highways of most north, northeast, northwest districts were badly damaged by the floodwaters.
“As the roads and highways have become dotted with big potholes, it will be very difficult for us to drive through such thoroughfares ahead of the Eid,” a long-distance bus driver said.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Thursday assured the homebound people that the country’s highways would be kept running for their smooth journey by any means during the Eid-ul-Azha.
“There is no reason to be scared of the journey during the Eid-ul-Azha. There was not much traffic gridlock in the last Eid-ul Fitr. Highways will be kept running for the smooth journey of the passengers during the Eid-ul Azha too,” he told newsmen while visiting Meghna toll plaza at Sonargaon on Dhaka-Chittagong Highway to see for himself the traffic situation.
The minister said though the current flood across the country caused some problems at different points, the highways are more or less in good condition.
Quader asked the authorities concerned to remain alert against any extortion incidents on the highways.
He, however, recently told journalists that it would be difficult this time to ensure smooth journeys for homebound people during Eid-ul-Azha as devastating floods and heavy rainfall battered many roads.
According to the transports owners and workers roads and highways in the districts have become a deathtrap for commuters, as maintenance remains elusive.
“Carrying thousands of passengers or goods, buses, coaches, trucks and covered vans ply through these routes everyday. Sometime some of them stare at breakdowns or accidents because of the worsening conditions of the country’s national road and highways this time,” said Afzal Hossain, an official of long-distance coach service named SB Super Deluxe on Thursday.
He said that they are concerned if the highways are not repaired immediately before the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, holidaymakers would have a bumpy travel on these roads.
“Though the authorities have taken up some impromptu maintenance work, it will be too inadequate to cope with rains and the heavy volume of traffic on these roads,” he said.
