The Ashulia-Baipail road in Savar has turned into a major source of daily suffering for commuters, with stretches covered in mud and water, damaged brick paving and ongoing construction narrowing the roadway at several points.
The deteriorating condition of the road is causing traffic congestion and damaging vehicles, while businesses say transportation costs and travel times have increased.
Local residents, factory workers, traders and patients are among those facing the greatest difficulties. Residents also say sick people and pregnant women are being forced to take longer alternative routes to reach hospitals.
Officials of the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway project, however, say they are aiming to complete two lanes on one side of the road from Ashulia to Baipail and the EPZ by December.
They also said sections where construction has already been completed will be opened to traffic.
A visit to the road from Baipail bus stand to Ashulia Bazar on Sunday afternoon found different problems at different points.
Parts of the Baipail intersection have been excavated for elevated expressway construction, while mud has accumulated alongside the road. The reduced road space is causing frequent congestion.
From Baipail intersection to Bogabari, several sections of the brick-paved road have developed potholes after bricks came loose.
New roadwork has been completed on both sides between Faisal Market at Unique Bus Stand and Shimultola. Carpet-laying work is under way from Sarkar Market to Narsinghpur bus stand, while construction has narrowed the road in the Narsinghpur area.
Vehicles were also seen travelling over piles of sand placed beside the elevated expressway pillars.
In Nishchintapur, ongoing drain construction has further reduced the road space. Work has been completed on the Ashulia-bound lane from Al-Muslim Apparels Ltd to Borak Polytechnic Institute in Ghoshbag.
Several sections between Borak Polytechnic Institute and Zirabo bus stand are uneven and dotted with small potholes. Carpet-laying work is also under way in some areas.
Drivers say the poor road condition is taking a toll on vehicles, with frequent damage to brakes, leaf springs and tyres.
Mohammad Kamrul Islam, a driver with Alif Paribahan, said the road was increasing vehicle maintenance costs.
“Because of the broken road, various parts of the vehicles get damaged. Repairing broken leaf springs is particularly expensive. The brakes are often damaged, while pieces of brick can get into the tyres and cause blowouts,” he said.
Mohammad Mamun Mia, a covered-van driver who transports ceramic products from Gazipur to different parts of Ashulia, said dinner sets and other ceramic items frequently break because of the jolts.
“I have been travelling this route for two or three years and have seen the roadwork continuing. The road remains broken and uneven. It would be much better for us if the road were repaired quickly,” he said.
Hundreds of thousands of residents and industrial workers live along both sides of the road between Baipail and Ashulia Bazar. Many depend on hospitals in the area for medical treatment.
But some residents are now travelling to hospitals in Savar because of the road's condition.
Maruf Hossain, a resident of Durgapur in Ashulia, said he previously took his sick child to Ashulia Women and Children Hospital.
“Now the road is in such poor condition, with dust and broken sections, that I take my child to Savar instead,” he said.
Harun-or-Rashid, manager of Ashulia Women and Children Hospital, said many patients are struggling to reach the hospital.
He said the number of pregnant women seeking treatment at the hospital has also declined because of the road condition.
“Immediate steps are needed to make the road suitable for public use,” he said.
Retail traders who transport vegetables and other goods from Baipail wholesale market say the rough road is also causing losses.
Mohammad Akash, a vegetable seller at Kazi Market in Jamgora Chourasta, said goods sometimes fall from vehicles because of the severe jolts.
“Previously, I could bring the goods for Tk150, but now it costs Tk250,” he said.
Industrial businesses are also reporting higher transportation costs.
Ashikul Islam, senior manager (human resources) at Fountain Garments Manufacturing Ltd near Baipail, said goods can no longer be transported conveniently through the Baipail-Ashulia road.
Vehicles are instead using alternative routes through Nabinagar and Savar, increasing both travel time and costs.
According to Ashikul, transportation and related expenses have increased by around 25%.
On September 2, two separate service bridges, stretching 3.71 kilometres from Dhour intersection to Ashulia, were opened to traffic under the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway project.
The bridges have made goods transportation easier for factories located nearby. However, factories farther from the bridges still have to use damaged sections of the main road.
Mohammad Rakibul Ahsan, deputy general manager (human resources and compliance) of Natural Group, said transportation of goods from their factory has become easier since the Dhour-Ashulia section opened.
However, he said many factory officials and workers live in other areas and continue to face difficulties commuting to work because of the poor road conditions.
Shafiqul Islam, project director of the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway, said the project aims to complete two lanes on one side of the road from Ashulia to Baipail and the EPZ by December.
“Sections where roadwork has already been completed will be opened to traffic,” he said.
He said potholes and damaged sections are currently being repaired, but rain is causing some repaired portions to deteriorate again.
