Police identify 55 accident blackspots on Dhaka-Sylhet highway

The Highway Police have identified 55 points on the Sylhet section of the Dhaka-Sylhet highway as road accident blackspots.

Drivers face a high risk of accidents when travelling through these points for a variety of reasons, including unsafe curves, obstacles in the line of sight (such as plants or structures), and narrow roads, said Highway Police Sylhet region Superintendent of Police Md Shahid Ullah.

There were 85 accidents leading to the loss of 102 lives on the highway in 2021, and 112 accidents resulting in 123 deaths in 2022, according to police data.

Of the 55 blackspots on the highway, the Sylhet-Sherpur section has been particularly dangerous and led to the loss of many lives.

Tetli of South Surma, Lalabazar ‘Phasir gache', Rashidpur, Nazirbazar, Brahmangram-Kashertal of Osmaninagar upazila, Goalabazar-Goynaghat, the Burunga road mouth from 19 miles, Niraiyar Bridge, Kagajpur, Begumpur Bazar, Fakirabad, Bhanga (Gazia) and the space between Sadipur Bridge to the tolls plazas are among the notable blackspots.

He also said that there is no road marking in most places on the Sylhet-Dhaka highway. There are speed breakers everywhere on the highway even though there was no provision for them. 

Dhaka Tribune

“Auto rickshaws cannot be stopped on the highway even with fines. In addition to driving at reckless speeds, drivers are driving without rest,” the police official said. 

At the same time, many people indulge in jaywalking, leading to many accidents.

Sejul Ahmad, 34, a businessman of Goalabazar area of Osmaninagar, said that due to the reckless speed of the vehicles, the number of deaths on the road is rising.

Accident Research Institute (ARI) of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) Assistant Professor Kazi Md Saifun Newaz said that the main reasons for the increase in highway crashes are the lack of road markings, feeder roads (side roads) and the presence of auto-rickshaws along with dangerous bends on the roads.

Moinul Islam, former driver of Sohag Paribahan and president of Sylhet District Road Transport Owners Sramik Union, said that there is no separate lane on the Sylhet-Dhaka highway. Cars travel through only one side. Besides, this highway is very narrow. Even though traffic on the road has increased several times compared to before, the width of the road has not been increased.

Dhaka Tribune

Sylhet Range DIG Office Superintendent of Police Zedan Al Musa said that overtaking, overload, high speed and overconfidence are mainly responsible for road crashes.

The Dhaka-Sylhet highway six lane upgrading project is ongoing, said Sylhet Road and Highways Department (RHD) Executive Engineer Mostafizur Rahman. 

Parimal Chandra Dev, officer-in-charge of Sherpur Highway police station, said that the highway police are working to prevent crashes on the highway. Often, even policemen do not get the required rest, added the OC.

Bangladesh Road Transport Authority Sylhet Divisional Deputy Director Shahidul Azam said that the BRTA's manpower is very limited. An operation will be conducted on the highway with the help of the police.