United News of Bangladesh

A four-kilometre stretch of the Rangpur-Dhaka Highway, passing through the Mithapukur upazila, has turned into a deadly zone, claiming at least seven lives in the past month alone. This crucial portion of the highway, featuring three major intersections, has long lacked basic traffic signals or safe pedestrian crossings, resulting in frequent accidents and casualties. Despite being developed under the South Asian Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) project, this segment of the highway suffers from poor planning and oversight, officials concerned said, wishing anonymity. The absence of proper infrastructure and road safety measures has led to a sharp rise in accidents. The most hazardous points along the stretch are the Gorer Matha intersection, Bairati Road junction near the local fire service station and the bustling marketplace at Shathibari, one of the largest haats in the northern region. Located just one kilometre from the Mithapukur Upazila Parishad and police station, Gorer Matha has emerged as a perilous four-way intersection. Roads from Dinajpur-Phulbari's coal mine area and the Balarhat region converge here with the main Rangpur-Dhaka highway. Despite the high volume of traffic and strategic importance, no flyover or underpass has been constructed. The lack of traffic signals further aggravates the danger. Long-haul drivers have no indication that they are approaching a major intersection, leading to regular accidents -- some fatal. A regional road connecting Imadpur and Milonpur unions was linked to the Rangpur-Dhaka highway about two years ago near the Shathibari fire service station. A site inspection revealed the absence of any overpass. As a result, vehicles are forced to divert approximately 1.5 kilometres to access Milonpur Road. Traffic movement on Kushtia-Rajbari regional highway halted for 2 hrs Besides, a concrete wall in the middle of the highway divides the lanes, yet many drivers flout traffic rules and attempt risky crossings. This has led to multiple accidents, some of which have left victims severely injured or even dead. The traditional Shathibari haat, a major commercial hub in Mithapukur, has been bisected by the newly built highway. The concrete wall dividing the market not only hampers local businesses but also diminishes the aesthetic appeal of the area. Despite the area's significance—housing banks, insurance offices, government buildings, shops and markets—no pedestrian bridge or underpass exists. Hundreds of people cross the highway every day at this point, taking serious risks.  Locals said at least seven pedestrians have died in the past month alone due to accidents in this area. Shathibari traders Sheikh Sadi, Lalon and Raihan Pradhan have all expressed frustration.  "Millions have been spent on road construction, yet there is no safe crossing. People are forced to climb over the concrete dividers to get across," said Sheikh Sadi. An underpass was built in front of Shathibari School, but locals say it is largely ineffective due to its inconvenient location. Nobody uses it and it is practically abandoned, they added. Residents are demanding immediate construction of either pedestrian overpasses or properly placed underpasses to ensure safety and safeguard livelihoods. Similar concerns have been echoed by people in Gorer Matha and Bairati Road areas, all stressing the need for a more thoughtful and safe transportation plan. Manikganj highway crash leaves one dead  

Bangladesh and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Monday signed an agreement for $400 million in loan for constructing the Dhaka-Sylhet highway to improve mobility, road safety, and regional trade in the proposed north-east economic corridor in the country.The assistance is the first tranche of a $1.78 billion multi tranche financing facility approved by ADB on 27 August 2021 for the SASEC Dhaka–Sylhet Corridor Road Investment Project, according to a press release.Economic Relations Division (ERD) Secretary Fatima Yasmin and ADB country director Manmohan Parkash signed the loan agreement on behalf of Bangladesh and ADB, respectively at a hotel.The Dhaka–Sylhet corridor, once completed, will support a new trade route that connects Chattogram port with India’s north-eastern states through the three land ports of Akhaura, Sheola, and Tamabil, and onwards to Bhutan and Myanmar. Also read: Bangladesh and ADB jointly launch country partnership strategyThe project is the main part of Road Corridor No. 5 under the South Asia Sub regional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) program.Transport and trade facilitation are among the priorities of SASEC members, which since 2001, have invested more than $14.3 billion in projects in the region, including 43 transport projects worth $11.4 billion.The SASEC Dhaka–Sylhet Corridor Road Investment Project will be delivered in four tranches.The $400 million first tranche of the facility will help finance the initial works of the major contracts for the widening of about 210 kilometres (km) along the Dhaka–Sylhet corridor from a two-lane to a four-lane road, and add lanes for slow-moving vehicular traffic. Also read: ADB to provide Bangladesh $250 million for Covid recoveryIt will include 60 km of footpath, 26 footbridges, and 13 overpasses. Its design will have features responsive to the needs of the elderly, women, children, and the differently abled, as well as disaster and climate risks.The government will fund $911 million of the total project cost of $2.69 billion. ADB will also provide a $1 million technical assistance grant from its Technical Assistance Special Fund and an additional $2 million grant from the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific, financed by the Government of Japan, to support capacity building of the Roads and Highways Department on road safety and maintenance, climate change, and gender equality and social inclusion.ADB Country Director Manmohan Parkash said that the Dhaka-Sylhet Road will open up opportunities for the entire north-east region of Bangladesh and act as a strategic corridor for subregional, regional and international trade.“The region is well endowed, and the corridor, which is a part of the Asian Highway network, will connect upcoming economic zones in the Sylhet region, catalyse foreign direct investment, reduce transportation and trading costs, increase competitiveness, create employment, and stimulate economic development,” he said.He also mentioned that it will connect ports and industrial hubs like Chattogram and Matarbari, and integrate the region with the rest of the economy.

The government on Sunday signed €360 million ($400 million) loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to help upgrade the Dhaka - Northwest international trade corridor in Bangladesh.

Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan on Tuesday said around 1162.97 km new rail tracks will be constructed after completion of the ongoing projects of the current fiscal year.