The construction of a 12-kilometer four-lane road from Ashuganj to Sarail Bishwaroad on the Dhaka-Sylhet highway in Brahmanbaria remains unfinished after 8 years, causing daily traffic jams and significant inconvenience for commuters.
Heavy congestion was again observed on Wednesday from Ashuganj to Bishwaroad. Officials from the Road Transport and Highways Department have assured that efforts are underway to expedite the repair work.
Sources reveal that after the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the project in 2017, Indian company Fcons Infrastructure began construction in 2020.
However, delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, sand shortages, and political instability have stalled progress. As a result, only one side of the road has been completed, with the project deadline set for June 2025.
During the monsoon, large potholes form across the highway, making it nearly impassable. Following an inspection, Senior Secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Department, Ehsanul Haque, approved an increase of nearly Tk 164 crore for the project.
On Wednesday, Ministry adviser Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan will conduct a field visit, while urgent repairs began on Monday to address the issues.
Tipu, a frequent traveler on the route, shared his frustration: “It takes 2 hours to travel from Dhaka to Bhairab, but it took me 11 hours to travel 30 kilometers from Bhairab to Madhabpur.”
