S.A.Shofiee Sylhet :
The number of old unfit buses see tremendous rise on Sylhet- Sunamganj road, posing risk of serious accidents receltly.
Visiting a few workshops at kumargawn terminal this correspondent found workers repairing and colouring old buses.
Such work increases every year before the Eid, said Abdul Aziz, owner of a workshop atkumargawn.
Several passengers of the district alleged that unfit buses ply the highway under the nose of police.
“The owners of the buses get the defective vehicles repaired and coloured and run those on the road. We have nothing to do in that case,” said Abdul Malek, a bus driver.
Bus owner Babru miha said, “The business does not bring much profit due to rising prices of fuel and equipment. During the two Eids and Puja, the pressure of passengers increases. To make a little extra income, the old buses are set right for plying.”
Some bus owners alleged that they have to give money to policemen for avoiding harassment while running old vehicles on the road.
Disgusting smoke emitted from such vehicles also adds to environment pollution and poses health hazards, said several passengers.
SP of Sylhet Moniruzzaman said following directives to prevent the movement of unfit old buses, a number of cases have been lodged and the people responsible have been fined.
“However, it is not possible to seize all unfit buses due to lack of adequate places to keep those. Besides, intensive checking of the buses on the highway and seizing the unfit ones add to the already existing traffic congestion and it increases the sufferings of the passengers,” he said.
Sylhet-Dhaka highway in bad shape
The Sylhet-Dhaka highway from Sherpur to Chandipul has now turned into a death trap due to deplorable condition.
Around hundred potholes have been created on the highway. As a result, about 10-15 accidents occur on the road per month.
Locals have been urging the authority concerned to repair the road for long, but they hardly pay any heed.
Helal Ahmed, a driver of ‘Unique Paribahan’ said, at least hundred potholes have been created on the road and accidents happen there frequently.
Executive engineer of Roads and Highways Division (RHD) in Sylhet said, repairing work was continuing on the Sylhet-Dhaka highway, but that was hampered for recent heavy rainfall.
“The 45-km road from Sherpur to Chandipul would be repaired fully before Eid,” he added.
