Absence of lane markings a major safety concern

OUR CORRESPONDENT | Published: May 23, 2026 21:42:01

Photo shows a long stretch of the Dhaka-Aricha Highway without lane markings — FE Photo

MANIKGANJ, May 23: The Dhaka-Aricha Highway, one of the country's most important road links connecting the capital with the southwestern region, is currently facing a new safety concern despite recent renovation work.
A long stretch of the highway in Manikganj lacks proper traffic markings, increasing the risk of accidents, especially during the Eid travel season when traffic volume rises significantly.
Thousands of passenger buses, trucks, motorcycles, and private vehicles use this highway every day. Although a major portion of the road, once widely known as the "tumor road" due to its severely damaged condition, has recently been repaired, the absence of lane markings is creating new problems for drivers.
According to the Roads and Highways Department (RHD), nearly 36 kilometers of the highway from Barobaria to Aricha in Manikganj had long suffered from worn-out pavement and uneven surfaces. At least 10 sections had become highly risky, causing serious disruptions to traffic.
To address the issue, the RHD undertook repairs under the Periodic Maintenance Programme (PMP), covering 18 kilometers of road from Golora to Utholi with Double Bituminous Surface Treatment (DBST).
Although the project was scheduled to be completed by July 2025, officials say around 80 percent of the work has now been finished after some delays.
However, authorities have acknowledged that the absence of road markings on the repaired sections has become a major concern.
A recent visit to the highway from the Manikganj Bus Terminal area to Aricha Ferry Ghat revealed that most sections of the nearly 28-kilometer stretch have no visible white or yellow lane markings.
In a few places, faded traces of old markings can still be seen, but they are largely ineffective. Such marked sections cover no more than five to six kilometers.
During daylight hours, drivers somehow manage to navigate the highway relying on experience. But after sunset, the situation becomes much more dangerous. Bright headlights from oncoming vehicles make it difficult to identify lanes, especially in areas such as Tora, Baniajuri, Joka, Pukhuria, and Borongail, where risky overtaking is frequently observed at night. Many drivers are forced to drive either near the centre of the road or dangerously close to the edge.
Under Bangladesh's Road Transport Act, designated lanes and road markings are essential for safe movement on highways. The law requires vehicles to stay within their assigned lanes, follow specific overtaking rules, and obey road signs and signals. However, in the absence of visible lane markings, enforcing these rules has become difficult. Drivers are often changing lanes and overtaking recklessly, significantly increasing the risk of accidents.
Raton Miah, a driver of a Selfie Paribahan bus traveling from Paturia to Dhaka, said, "It is somehow manageable during the daytime, but driving at night becomes very difficult. We cannot clearly understand the lanes. When vehicles approach from the opposite direction, the headlights blind our vision, making it hard to identify the middle of the road."
Truck driver Mohammad Ali, who regularly uses the highway, said, "We operate heavy vehicles. Without road markings, controlling the vehicle becomes difficult. Even a small mistake can lead to a major accident. During winter, fog already reduces visibility, and now the lack of markings after the repair work has made the situation even worse."
Motorcyclist Shohiduzzaman Shahin said, "We are the most vulnerable on this highway. Large vehicles suddenly overtake without warning. Since there are no visible lane markings, it is difficult to understand which lane is safe. Normally, we rely on road markings while driving, but from Manikganj Bus Stand to Aricha, markings exist on only three to four kilometers. The entire highway should be marked as quickly as possible."
Local residents have alleged that the number of minor and major accidents has increased over the past few months due to the absence of lane markings. Excessive speeding and reckless overtaking are further worsening the risks.
Md. Abdul Kader Jilani, sub-divisional engineer of the Manikganj Roads and Highways Department, said the repair work is now in its final stage. "Road marking cannot be completed immediately after DBST work because the surface needs to become smoother first," he said. "About 80 per cent of the structural improvement under the periodic maintenance programme has already been completed. Some delays occurred due to weather conditions, but the remaining work, including road marking, will be completed soon."
The Dhaka-Aricha Highway is not just a road link. It serves as a vital corridor for the economy, trade, and daily lives of people in the country's southwestern region. Although drivers have found some relief from the previously damaged "tumor road," the ongoing lack of road markings is once again turning the highway into a dangerous route. Ensuring safe travel for passengers and drivers now depends on the quick completion of the remaining road marking work.
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