Dhaka-Chattogram highway, a lifeline for the country’s trade and commerce, has turned into a death trap with 152 fatalities and 137 injuries recorded in 171 road crashes between January and December last year.

Despite being one of the busiest highways in the country—stretching 163.7 kilometers from Chattogram’s Alongkar area to Dhaka’s Sayedabad—the highway lacks adequate safety measures to reduce accidents.

Additional Deputy Inspector General of Cumilla Highway Range Highway Police Khairul Alam told UNB that 138 cases were filed over these accidents during the same period.

Eighty-eight complaints were lodged over vehicles plying the highway and final reports of 50 complaints were submitted, he said.

Highway police, responsible for maintaining discipline on the route, blamed reckless driving as the primary cause. Other contributing factors include drivers ignoring lane rules, overtaking dangerously, and speeding.

Unplanned U-turn at Padua Bazar on Dhaka-Chattogram Highway turns into a death trap

Alongside maintaining order, highway police are also tackling smuggling and drug trafficking, said Khairul Alam.

Last year, they seized 235,600 kg of cannabis worth Tk 1,884,800 and recovered 20 bottles of Indian Phensedyl worth Tk 6,000.

Besides, law enforcers confiscated 2,045 CNG-run autorickshaws, 1,356 battery-run autorickshaws, 1,634 rickshaws, and 21 other illegal vehicles from the highway.

To improve efficiency, several initiatives have been taken, said DIG Khairul Alam.

Previously, fines for traffic rules violations on the Dhaka-Chattogram and Cumilla-Sylhet highways could only be paid via United Commercial Bank’s mobile banking service, Upay.

Now, violators can instantly deposit fines into the government treasury through 21 different mobile banking services, including bKash and Rocket, as well as various bank cards, he said.

Economic Significance of Dhaka-Ctg Highway

The Dhaka-Chattogram Highway serves as the primary artery connecting Dhaka with Chattogram, the country's largest port and commercial hub.

This highway facilitates the transport of goods essential for industries such as garments, pharmaceuticals and agriculture, which rely heavily on Chattogram Port for exports and imports.

How long will Bangladesh’s highways remain deadly?

Some 80% of Bangladesh’s international trade flows through this route, underlining its critical importance for sustaining the nation’s economic growth.

Without prompt action to ensure road safety the country’s economic momentum will be threatened, locals and businesspeople said.