Infrastructure Neglect and Road Damage Paralyze Traffic on Dhaka-Sylhet Highway

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A severe traffic congestion stretching over 10 kilometers has paralyzed sections of the Dhaka-Sylhet and Comilla-Sylhet highways in the Sarail upazila of Brahmanbaria, leaving thousands of commuters stranded since Tuesday morning. The gridlock, which began around 10:00 a.m. and persisted well into the late afternoon, is centered near the Biswa Road intersection, where ongoing construction and deep road damage have bottlenecked the flow of heavy vehicles.

The transit crisis stems from deteriorating road conditions exacerbated by recent heavy rains. Large craters filled with stagnant water have formed on the unpaved sections of the intersection, frequently trapping heavy goods vehicles, including trucks and lorries, that struggle to navigate the narrow passage. Currently, only one lane—the newly constructed path toward Sylhet—remains functional, forcing traffic from Dhaka, Comilla, and Chittagong to compete for limited space while the older, primary lanes remain closed.

Compounding the logistical failure are unregulated infrastructure elements, including three unauthorized CNG-run auto-rickshaw stands located directly at the intersection. The lack of pedestrian walkways and the presence of these makeshift transit points have further constricted movement. Motorists report extreme delays, with some drivers noting that short distances that typically take minutes are now requiring several hours of transit time.

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Local law enforcement officials acknowledge the severity of the situation but cite driver non-compliance as a secondary challenge. Sarail-Khati Hata Highway Police Officer-in-Charge Abu Taher Dewan stated that despite ongoing efforts to manage the traffic despite the rain, many drivers refuse to adhere to traffic regulations, attempting to bypass queues and further stalling the flow of vehicles.

The underlying cause of the long-term disruption is an ambitious, albeit stagnant, infrastructure project designed to upgrade 50.58 kilometers of the highway into a four-lane corridor, connecting the Ashuganj river port to the Akhaura land port to facilitate Indian transit. Implementation of the 5.79 billion taka project, handled by the Indian firm Afcons Infrastructure Limited, has dragged on for eight years. Progress has been further hindered by work stoppages following the political transition in August. While construction on one side of the highway is nearing completion, the presence of persistent potholes and unfinished surfaces continues to render the route hazardous and inefficient for heavy transport.