Illegal road grabbing by influentials are causing accidents on Chittagong-Cox's Bazar highway. Though authorities are aware, nothing effective can be done about it.
These influentials are more powerful than the administration, what officials have said.
Dhaka Tribune found out about at least 20 points on the Chittagong-Cox's Bazar highway in Chakaria upazila, Cox's Bazar where roads have been occupied with piles of sand.
The road is being used for storage of sand by influentials and later sold from there.
At least 30 accidents took place on the road in the last 10 months because of piling up sand by the roadside, Chakaria's Malumghat highway police official Shafiqul Azam said.
“Nine people have died so far and about 40 others injured. The highway police cannot do anything about the sand. I can send forces if authorities say.”
Chakaria Assistant Commissioner (land) Md Mainuddin said occupying roads with sand was illegal. “I have carried out eviction drives two or three times.”
“They have been fined Tk50,000 each. Some trucks have been seized. There is provision of three-month jail for non-compliance. But, even then they cannot be driven out.”
Chakaria Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Moazzem Hossain said these “miscreants” are more powerful than the administration. “We carried out eviction drives several times.”
“But, it would be better if the eviction is carried out via outsourcing,” he said.
Pekua upazila Awami League president and Upazila Parishad Chairman Zafar Alam said piling up sands by the roadside hampers traffic and beauty of the Cox's Bazar beach.
“Actions should be taken against those involved. If anyone of Awami League are involved, they will be punished,” he added.
Dhaka Tribune caught up with a labourer Morshedul Alam, 38, who was engaged in piling up sand sough of Dulahazara Bazar on the Chittagong-Cox's Bazar highway.
“We work as labourers, we have nothing to do. Those who employ us are bigshots and party representatives. No one can do anything about them.”
Cox's Bazar is host to the longest beach in the world, where tourists from all over the globe gather for vacation or work purpose.