Highway stretch lacks 30-meter service lane, raising accident fears
Photo Collected
A critical 30-meter stretch of the Dhaka-Bogra highway in Mohipur remains without a service lane, subjecting local residents to significant travel disruptions and frequent minor accidents. The unfinished section, near the Mohipur fire service station, has become a recurring hazard, with police reporting at least 15 incidents in the past three years.
Service lanes, designed for slower-moving vehicles to navigate highways safely, are absent on both sides of the road at this particular location. This absence forces three-wheeled vehicles to merge directly onto the main highway from the service lane, just past the fire station’s main entrance, creating a perilous point of convergence. Highway police have noted an increased risk of accidents during peak travel times, such as the Eid holidays, due to heavy vehicular traffic. The lack of proper infrastructure tragically led to the death of firefighter Ahsan Habib in February, when he was involved in an accident while responding to a call.
বিজ্ঞাপন
The four-lane expansion project in Mohipur commenced in 2020, with an expected completion by 2025. However, the incomplete section near the fire station has stalled the construction of the service lane. This delay has impacted holiday travelers, with incidents reported during the recent Eid-ul-Fitr and early March, where two auto-rickshaws were involved in accidents after being struck by vehicles traveling from Dhaka towards North Bengal. Concerns are high that the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha will see a similar pattern of disruption and potential accidents for returning travelers.
The hazardous conditions extend to the fire service’s own operations. Fire service officials have stated that the lack of a service lane complicates their emergency response efforts, as exiting the station onto the highway is fraught with risk. The fatal accident involving firefighter Habib occurred as he was leaving the station’s premises.
বিজ্ঞাপন
Contractors for the highway expansion, CPC (Concord Progress Consortium), have cited land acquisition issues as the reason for the delay. An engineer for the consortium explained that the service lane could not be constructed because the relevant portion of land had not yet been handed over to them. They indicated that construction would proceed immediately upon receipt of the land.
Local auto-rickshaw drivers, who rely on the service lanes for their livelihood, described the daily risks of merging onto the main highway at the fire station. They expressed frustration that a critical section of the road, essential for their safe passage and passenger transport, remains unfinished.
In response to the ongoing safety concerns, the Upazila Executive Officer, Md. Saiduzzaman Himu, acknowledged that the land dispute with the fire service has not yet been resolved, preventing the service lane’s construction. He assured that measures are being taken in collaboration with local police and highway authorities to mitigate accident risks for travelers during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha.
0%
0%
0%
0%
