At least 191 people were killed and 154 injured in 156 road crashes on the Cumilla section of the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway during the first seven months of this year, underscoring growing concerns over safety on one of Bangladesh’s busiest transport corridors.
According to data from the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) and the Cumilla District Law and Order Committee, around 140 cases have been filed in connection with the accidents.
Chauddagram recorded the highest number of crashes with 44, followed by Daudkandi (22), Burichang (18), Sadar Dakshin (15) and Chandina (15).
Road safety officials and transport operators identified illegal U-turns, speeding, unfit vehicles, sleep-deprived drivers, mixed traffic and weak enforcement as the main causes of the fatalities.
A recent investigation found numerous unauthorised openings in the highway median, particularly near filling stations, restaurants and roadside businesses, allowing three-wheelers and motorcycles to enter the carriageway abruptly and collide with high-speed vehicles.
Drivers also said the highway is operating well beyond its intended capacity. While the Cumilla section was designed to accommodate around 8,000 to 9,000 vehicles a day, an estimated 18,000 to 20,000 vehicles now use the route daily.
Additional Superintendent of Police Kirtiman Chakma of the Cumilla Highway Region said regular drives were being conducted against three-wheelers and that closing illegal U-turns and constructing service lanes would significantly reduce accidents.
BRTA Assistant Director Omar Faruk said authorities were continuing driver training and awareness programmes while taking action against unfit vehicles and licensing irregularities.
Sub-divisional Engineer Md Adnan Ibne Alam of the Roads and Highways Department said illegal median openings were repaired whenever identified and stressed that stricter enforcement and removing three-wheelers from the highway would help improve road safety.
