Transport operators issue 72-hr ultimatum to RHD

Our Correspondent | Published: July 11, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

CHITTAGONG, July 10: The transport operators on the Chittagong-Dhaka highway have warned the Road and Highways Department (RHD) that they would not operate transports unless the damaged portion of the highway is repaired within next Monday.
"We will not operate inter-district buses, trucks and covered vans from Tuesday next if the severely damaged portion of the highway is not repaired before that day," said President of Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association Md Kafil Uddin.
He said this to the media after holding a meeting with the Police Super of Chittagong AKM Hafiz Akhtar at the latter's office at Sholashahar Gate no 2 in the city Thursday afternoon.
Secretary General of Chittagong District Transport Owners Group Manjurul Alam Manju, Secretary General of Bangladesh Paribahan Malik Samity Chittagong Abul Kalam Azad and Secretary of Chittagong Port Truck Owners Association Zahirul Huq, among other transport workers' leaders, were present in the meeting.
"We have given 72 hours time to the authority concerned to repair the highway in the Chittagong-Mirsarai and Feni section. The transports take at least six hours to reach Feni from Chittagong which normally takes three hours," he said.
Kafil Uddin complained that the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) in Chittagong is yet to start repair works on the section although Communication Minister Obaidul Quader instructed to do so immediately during his visit to Chittagong RHD office on June 28 last.
The dilapidated condition caused due to heavy rainfall weeks ago has left the highway in such a bad condition that the passenger buses, trucks and covered vans plying the highway fall in repeated accidents creating tailback of traffic almost everyday, he said.
"At this condition it is not possible on our part to continue plying transports although the people will badly need the transports ahead of the holy Eid which is only about two weeks away from now," he said.
He further said the trucks, covered vans etc will not be plying the highway from four days ahead of and four days after the Eid-ul-Fitr to facilitate passengers quickly reach their homes for Eid and workplaces after the vacation.
SP AKM Hafiz Akhtar assured the leaders that appropriate authority will be conveyed about the problems and the district and highway police will also ensure safety on the highway.