A public road in front of ACI Godrej Agrovet’s feed mill in Bhadraghat of Kamarkhand Upazila has allegedly turned into an unauthorised truck terminal, with heavy vehicles being parked and goods loaded and unloaded on the road, causing congestion and raising safety concerns.
The 17-acre modern feed mill produces livestock, poultry and fish feed and supplies products across the country. While the facility has contributed to local employment and economic activity, its transport operations have triggered complaints over the misuse of the road space.
Local residents said trucks and covered vans remain parked on both sides of the road, especially in the evening and at night, narrowing the passage for other vehicles and increasing accident risks.
Sirajganj Roads and Highways Department Surveyor Akram Hossain said no land in front of the factory had been leased to ACI Godrej Agrovet or any transport company.
Executive Engineer of Sirajganj Roads and Highways Department Md Imran Farhan Sumel said there was no permission to use government road space for loading and unloading. “They are occupying road space illegally. We are taking steps to address the issue,” he said.
According to the factory authorities, around 80–85 trucks and other goods vehicles arrive at the facility every day. The factory employs more than 200 people and has a production capacity of around 30 tonnes per hour.
Officials from the factory’s human resources and administration department, Md Golam Rahman and Md Mehedi Hasan, said vehicles from different agencies often create obstacles by parking on the road. “Drivers and transport agencies have been asked several times not to keep vehicles on the road, but the practice continues,” they said.
The issue has drawn further attention after a road accident last Friday near Chara Bottola, where a collision involving a truck parked in front of the ACI mill’s warehouse reportedly killed two people.
Local residents said large trucks parked on the road force smaller vehicles, including auto-rickshaws and motorcycles, to move along the edge, increasing the risk of serious accidents.
MA Wahab, general secretary of Sirajganj District Truck and Covered Van Transport Workers’ Union, said they had repeatedly requested the mill authorities to establish a designated terminal. “Outside trucks come and create traffic congestion. We want the mill authorities to take immediate steps,” he said.
The transport workers’ leader, mill authorities and the Roads and Highways Department all agree that a proper parking and loading facility is needed. However, trucks continue to occupy the public road.
Residents have demanded that authorities remove the parked vehicles, ensure regular monitoring and arrange a designated parking and loading area for the factory’s transport operations.
They said roads are meant for public movement, not to serve as an unofficial terminal for any industrial facility.
