RANGPUR, July 09 (UNB): A four-kilometre stretch of the Rangpur-Dhaka Highway, passing through the Mithapukur upazila, has turned into a deadly zone, claiming at least seven lives in the past month alone.
This crucial portion of the highway, featuring three major intersections, has long lacked basic traffic signals or safe pedestrian crossings, resulting in frequent accidents and casualties.
Despite being developed under the South Asian Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) project, this segment of the highway suffers from poor planning and oversight, officials concerned said, wishing anonymity.
The absence of proper infrastructure and road safety measures has led to a sharp rise in accidents.
The most hazardous points along the stretch are the Gorer Matha intersection, Bairati Road junction near the local fire service station and the bustling marketplace at Shathibari, one of the largest haats in the northern region.
Located just one kilometre from the Mithapukur Upazila Parishad and police station, Gorer Matha has emerged as a perilous four-way intersection.
Roads from Dinajpur-Phulbari's coal mine area and the Balarhat region converge here with the main Rangpur-Dhaka highway.
Despite the high volume of traffic and strategic importance, no flyover or underpass has been constructed. The lack of traffic signals further aggravates the danger.
Long-haul drivers have no indication that they are approaching a major intersection, leading to regular accidents -- some fatal.
A regional road connecting Imadpur and Milonpur unions was linked to the Rangpur-Dhaka highway about two years ago near the Shathibari fire service station. A site inspection revealed the absence of any overpass. As a result, vehicles are forced to divert approximately 1.5 kilometres to access Milonpur Road.
Besides, a concrete wall in the middle of the highway divides the lanes,
yet many drivers flout traffic rules and attempt risky crossings. This has led to multiple accidents, some of which have left victims severely injured or even dead.
