Patient dies in ambulance as 40-kilometer traffic jam cripples Dhaka-Chittagong highway
Photo Collected
A 40-kilometer traffic gridlock has paralyzed the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, stretching from Sonargaon in Narayanganj to Eliotganj in Daudkandi, following road repair work that began on Friday morning. The congestion, which originated in the Dhaka-bound lane at Ashriarchar in Sonargaon, persisted through Saturday morning, leaving thousands of commuters stranded.
Tragedy struck amidst the gridlock when a patient, identified as Amirunnesa from Pranbhagabatipur village in the Chandragonj Upazila of Lakshmipur, died while being transported to a hospital in Dhaka. Her relative, Tareq Al Hasan, stated that they departed for Dhaka at approximately 8:00 p.m. on Friday after Amirunnesa suffered a cardiac event. The ambulance reached Daudkandi by 11:00 p.m. but became immobilized by the heavy traffic. After being trapped for four hours, the patient succumbed to her condition at approximately 3:00 a.m.
Motorists and passengers have reported severe delays. Travelers aboard a Mujahid Paribahan bus heading from Chattogram to Bagerhat stated that they became trapped in the congestion at Eliotganj at 2:30 a.m. By 8:00 a.m. Saturday, they had managed to travel only 10 kilometers to Amirabad.
Ripon Mia, a 55-year-old driver for Surma Paribahan, expressed frustration regarding the management of the highway, noting that the Dhaka-Chattogram route is vital and requires constant administrative oversight. He highlighted the distress of vulnerable passengers, including women, children, and the elderly, who have been forced to endure the journey in stifling heat.
Inspector Mohammad Shamim, in charge of the Bhaberchar Highway Police outpost in Gazaria, Munshiganj, confirmed that the gridlock was triggered by road repairs initiated at 8:00 a.m. on Friday. He stated that the congestion remains ongoing and assured that highway police are working to manage the situation and assist passengers struggling under the intense heat.
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