The Dhaka-Chattogram Highway, a lifeline for the country’s trade and commerce, has been plagued by cracks and potholes, particularly along its Cumilla segment, causing serious disruptions to traffic and posing risks to road users. The 105-kilometre stretch from Chauddagram to Daudkandi in Cumilla is in an alarming state, with key sections in Chauddagram Upazila, including Noapara, caving in.  Besides, parts of the two-lane road from Nischintapur to the Cantonment area in Adarsha Sadar Upazila have sustained severe damage. This deterioration has forced drivers of various vehicles, particularly goods-laden ones, to proceed cautiously, resulting in slower traffic and frequent gridlocks.  Biman's capability in ground handling at ‘Third Terminal’ under scrutiny Locals report that traffic snarls and dust pollution have become a daily ordeal for commuters. In the Chandina Bus Stand area, a major portion of the road has collapsed, exacerbating commuter misery.  Beyond the highway, other regional roads in Cumilla are also in disrepair.  The 40-kilometre Cumilla-Sylhet Regional Highway and the 30-kilometre Cumilla-Chandpur Regional Highway are riddled with potholes and narrow stretches, making travel challenging for both drivers and passengers. Impact on Commuters and Drivers Jamil Ahmed Khandaker, president of the Cumilla Motor Association (Bus Owners’ Association), highlighted the severity of the situation, saying, “Several parts of the highway in Cumilla are damaged, causing immense suffering for both drivers and passengers.” People in Chandpur suffer as demand for concrete bridge goes unheeded He called upon authorities to initiate immediate repair work. Abul Hossain, a minibus driver on the Cumilla-Sylhet Regional Highway, described the daily struggles, saying, “The narrow roads, combined with heavy traffic and potholes, have become a constant challenge for drivers.” Abdullah Al Maruf, a passenger from Mujaffarganj, pointed out that while the Cumilla section of the Cumilla-Chandpur Regional Highway is relatively less damaged, the Chandpur section makes travelling extremely difficult. Government Response Suniti Chakma, executive engineer of the Cumilla Roads and Highways Department, acknowledged the issue, attributing the damage to recent floods and heavy rainfall.  “We plan to begin repair work within 15 days,” she assured. 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. Illegal sand extraction in Feni continues despite political shift Some 80% of Bangladesh’s international trade flows through this route, underlining its critical importance for sustaining the nation’s economic growth. Ensuring proper maintenance of the highway is imperative for reducing traffic congestion and preserving its efficiency as a trade corridor.  Without prompt action, the current state of disrepair threatens not only road safety but also the country’s economic momentum, locals and businesspeople said.

Vehicular movement on Mahalchhari-Sindukchhari road remained suspended since Sunday morning due to landslides at Pankhimura in Guimara upazila of Khagrachari district. Memong Marma, Guimara upazila chairman, heavy rains triggered landslides in the area in the morning, halting vehicular movement on the road. Movement of CNG-run auto-rickshaws, three-wheelers and small trucks halted due to the landslides, causing immense suffering to the residents. Rising Teesta: Flash floods snap Lalmonirhat-Rangpur road link Already a team of Bangladesh Army is working to remove the soil from the road but it will take a few more hours. Bailey bridge collapse snaps road link in Barishal

Four people were killed in separate road accidents in Faridpur and ChapaiNawabganj and Sylhet districts on Friday. In Faridpur, two youths were killed in a road accident when their motorbike collided with a truck at Goalchamot Sriangan area of Faridpur municipality on Friday. One of the deceased was identified as Injamul, 20, an employee of Alfa Insurance Company and resident of Baithakhali village of Macchar union. Identity of another deceased couldn’t be identified yet. Locals said, two young boys were bound to Faridpur with their motorbike and collided with a truck at Sriangan Bridge while trying to overtake the truck. The truck mowed down the duo with their bike, leaving them dead on the spot.   The truck driver and helper immediately skipped from the scene. Tuhin Laskar, Inspector of Faridpur Traffic Police, confirmed the matter and said that effort is going on to identify the deceased and legal action against driver and helper is also under process. In ChapaiNawabganj, A 35-year-old power tiller driver died on Friday when he was trying to save a calf and was crushed by the wheels of a power tiller at Khesba area of Nachol Upazila under ChapaiNawabganj district. The deceased was identified as Masud, 35, son of Israil Haque and resident of Fatehpur union of Nachol Upazila. Mintu Rahman, Officer-in-Charge of Nachol Police Station, said that Masud was going home by driving a power tiller and was crushed by the wheels of the vehicle while trying to save a baby cow lying on the road. On information, police recovered the body, he added.     In Sylhet, a man was killed in a head-on collision between a speedy truck and tractor at Khadimpara area of Sylhet Sadar Upazila on Friday. The deceased was identified as Saidur Rahman, 28, son of Ayas Ali, resident of Khadimpara area of Sylhet Sadar Upazila. According to locals, a truck and a tractor collided head-on at Khadimpara area of Sylhet-Tamabil Highway. Both of the vehicles fell down into a roadside ditch, causing the tractor driver to die on the spot. Sub-inspector of Shahporan Police Station Maniruzzaman confirmed the information.  

As many as five people were killed and several others were injured in separate road accidents in Tangail and Lalmonirhat districts on Wednesday. In Tangail, three women were killed and at least 15 others were injured on Wednesday as a pick-up van lost control and fell into a roadside ditch at Analiabari area of Bangabandu Bridge link road under Kalihati Upazila. The deceased were identified as Sahana Begum, 60, wife of late Sultan, resident of Gandail area under Tangail Sadar Upazila, Nurjahan, 50, daughter of Mahtab Ali, resident of Pechamanik area and Firoza Begum, 60, wife of late Hatem Ali, resident of Gourang area of Dhanbari upazila.  Shafiqul Islam, Officer-in-Charge of Bangabandhu Setu East Police Station, said that the accident occurred when a Sirajganj-bound pickup van carrying 30-35 people lost control and turned down into a roadside ditch, leaving two women dead in the spot and 16 others injured.   The injured were taken to Tangail General Hospital where another woman succumbed to her injuries, the OC said, adding that Police sent the bodies to Tangail General Hospital morgue for autopsy. In Lalmonirhat, two people died and several injured in another road accident at Burirbazar area of Lalmonirhat Sadar Upazila when a truck hit an auto-rickshaw on Wednesday afternoon. The deceased were identified as Nabiul, son of Mohammad Ali, resident of Tushbhandar union under Kaliganj upazila and Rejaul Islam, son of Mojibur, resident of Khedabagh area of Lalmonirhat Sadar Upazila. Locals said, an auto-rickshaw was going to Barabari with 7-8 passengers while a truck coming from the opposite side hit the rickshaw at Burirbazar area. A man died on the spot in the impact of the crash and another one was declared dead by duty doctor when locals took the injured to hospital. Ershadul Islam, Officer-in-Charge of Lalmonirhat Sadar Police Station, said that two people died in this accident and some sustained critical injuries. They have been sent to Lalmonirhat Sadar Hospital. However, police have seized the truck from the spot, the OC added.

A school teacher and a van driver were killed after a bus hit the van at Mohanpur upazila in Rajshahi district on Monday morning. The deceased were identified as Mustafizur Rahman Uzzal, an English teacher at Nakheel Ideal High School, and van driver Mobarak Hossain. Read more: 2 killed in Ctg road accidents The accident occurred around 8:30am at Keshorhaat area of the upazila when the Rajshahi-bound bus coming from Naogaon hit the van, leaving the duo critically injured, said Selim Badsha, officer-in-charge (OC) of Mohanpur Police Station. Locals rushed them to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital where teacher Uzzal succumbed to his injuries around 1pm. Later, the van driver died around 2:30pm while undergoing treatment at the hospital, added the OC. Police seized the bus, said the OC, adding that legal action will be taken in this regard.

Three people were killed in a collision between a pickup van and a truck on Natore-Bogura Highway at Jolarbata in Singra upazila on Monday morning. The deceased were identified as Rahim Ali, 35, and Bidyut Ali, 32, both were residents of Punduri village of Kalam union and Kachuke, 50, a resident of Najarpur village of the same union. ANM Masud, officer-in-charge of Jhalmalia Highway Police Station, said that a truck hit a pickup van carrying saw mill workers at around 9:30 am, leaving van driver Rahim Ali dead on the spot and 4 others critically injured. On information, the fire fighters went to the spot and rescued the injured people and took them to a local hospital from where workers Bidyut Ali and Kachuke were rushed to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital in critical condition. They both died while undergoing treatment at the medical college hospital in the afternoon, the OC added.

Road crashes claimed 585 lives across the country in January, said a report of Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity. Forty-six people killed in 44 railway accidents while 11 killed and one was injured in 13 waterway accidents, it said. The report was published on Saturday after analysing accident reports published in the country's national and regional dailies and online media during the period. Total 642 people were killed and 978 others injured in 650 accidents on roads, waterways and railways across the country. Two hundred five people died and 114 others were injured in some 214 motorbike accidents across the country last month. Read more: 2 dead in Mymensingh road crash Among those killed in road accident in January, 206 people were drivers, 109 pedestrians, 35 transport workers, 53 students, 10 teachers, 13 members of law enforcement agencies, 115 women, 62 children, five journalists, one freedom fighter, two lawyers, three engineers and 14 activists of different political parties. Among those vehicles involved in the accidents were 12.5 percent buses, 24.75 percent pick-up vans,, covered vans and lorries, 5.2 percent private cars, jeeps and microbuses, 5.88 percent CNG-run auto-rickshaws, 27.32 percent motorbikes, 14.58 percent battery-run human haulers and 9.92 percent three-wheeler vehicles. Of the accidents, 29.51 percent occurred on national highways, 38.61 on regional roads and 24.45 percent on roads. Besides, 5.22 percent accidents occurred in Dhaka city, 1.18 in Chattogram city and 1.01 percent on rail tracks. The association blamed reckless driving, dangerous overtaking and movement of unfit vehicles, unskilled drivers and helpers, plying of slow-moving three-wheelers and human-haulers on highways, using headphones or mobile phones, using drugs, illegal occupation of footpaths, poor traffic management, and violation of traffic rules for the accidents and deaths.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Md Atiqul Islam said on Wednesday that there would be no finance allocated for development plans with roads less than 20 feet wide. “Financial allocation won’t be approved for carrying out development work with roads less than 20 feet wide,” he said. Mayor Atiqul made the remarks while addressing a corporation meeting on the sixth floor of the Nagar Bhaban in the capital’s Ghulshan area  as chief guest. Warning of strict action against the perpetrators, he said coordinating with the corporation’s estate department to widen the roads is a must. Besides, RAJUK will have to be informed in writing about the development work of the road, he said, adding that any road gets narrowed due to illegal occupation.   At the meeting, different issues including halting the movement of illegal battery-run auto-rickshaws to save power, opening online councillor certificate system, issuing trade license, coordination with traffic police to reduce congestion, early removal of waste, cleaning waste drainage and shifting the Karwan Bazar kitchen market were discussed. DNCC Secretary Mohammrd Masud Alam Siddique conducted the meeting where the corporation’s councillors, Chief Executive Officer Md Selim Reza, Chief Health Officer Bridger General Md Zobaidur Rahman, Chief Engineer Bridger General Muhammad Amirul Islam and Chief Waste Management Officer Cdre S M Sharif-Ul Islam were all present, among others. Also read: No project to be allowed to continue unless public safety is ensured: Atiqul  

The road from Sheola Bridge to Sheola Land Port in Beanibazar Upazila of Sylhet has become dilapidated with numerous potholes, disrupting import-export through the land port . Local traders, who are the worst hit, said their repeated complaints to the authorities about the sorry state of the three-kilometer road have only fallen on deaf years. Talking to UNB, drivers said it has become almost impossible for them to move on the road due to numerous potholes and pits which get filled with water if it rains, causing risks of accident. Sylhet Coal Importers Group on April 11 submitted an application to the Superintending Engineer of Roads and Highways Department in Sylhet to take necessary steps to repair the road on an urgent basis. The road was repaired earlier at the group's own expense for the interest of traders, but it was not enough as the road turned shabby again following recent showers. Traders said that if the road is not repaired, the movement of vehicles will be stopped and there will be huge loss. Sheola Land Port is an important land port of Sylhet Division as huge quantities of stone, coal, and various food items including onions and ginger are imported from India through it. Besides, a huge quantity of cement, fish, cotton and various food items are exported from Bangladesh through this land port. READ: No trade through Tamabil land port for 8 days from Friday The government earns a huge amount of revenue from trade through this land port. Besides, hundreds of passengers travel to India through Sheola Land Port. On May 9, a delegation of Sylhet Coal Importers Group met Roads and Highway Department Executive Engineer Md Mostafizur Rahman and handed over a memorandum in this regard. Chandan Saha, president of Sylhet Coal Importers Group demanded the authorities take necessary steps for quick renovation of the road in the interest of import-export business and government revenue. Executive Engineer Md Mostafizur Rahman assured the delegation that necessary steps will be taken to repair the road.

Bangladesh and Bulgaria have decided to name a street in Sofia after the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and a road in Dhaka after the forefather of the Bulgarian National Revival St. Paisiy Hilendarski. Bulgarian Ambassador Eleonora Dimitrova met Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday and discussed issues of mutual interest. Also read:US wants to expand trade, investment partnership: Ambassador Haas Bangladesh and Bulgaria will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two friendly countries this year. The two countries established diplomatic relations on 26 January 1972. Bangladesh and Bulgaria have decided to take up a number of initiatives to further strengthen bilateral partnership. Foreign Minister Momen and the Bulgarian Ambassador recalled the official visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Sofia in May 2016 to attend the Global Women Leader’s Forum and her meetings with the President and the Prime Minister of Bulgaria. Momen appreciated Bulgarian support in various regional and in international forum and sought their support for Bangladesh’s candidature to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the term 2023-25. Bulgarian Ambassador expressed willingness to employ Bangladeshi workers especially in the garments sector in Bulgaria. Foreign Minister Momen emphasized on regular exchange of business delegation between the two countries. Also read:Deal signed to conduct study on establishing virtual marketplace platform for RMG sector Highlighting the excellent opportunities in Bangladesh, he requested the Ambassador of Bulgaria to encourage Bulgarian investors to invest in Bangladesh. Bulgarian Ambassador requested that Bangladesh can consider importing edible oil (sunflower oil), corn, etc. from Bulgaria.