Transport business suffers as Sitakunda route develops cracks

CHITTAGONG, Jul 6: Repair work at Sitakunda section of the Chittagong-Dhaka Highway has started, although most of the parts of the road are damaged due to ditches and potholes caused by recent rains.
Innumerable potholes have surfaced over a 20 kilometre area and more than one hundred vehicles plying on the road have faced accidents over the last few days.
Bus passengers, drivers and local people said thousands of long-range vehicles are plying on the road every day. Even before completion of the four-lane extension project, big potholes have emerged owing to the poor quality bitumen work.
Last week's heavy rainfall disrupted the bitumen work at Bhatiary, Madam Bibirhat, Joramtol and the parts after Kumira like Banshbaria, Barabkunda, Shuklal Hat, Fakir Hat, Municipal Sadar south bypass, Chota Darogahat, Baro Daroga Hat and so on.
Manager of the four-lane project Engineer Masud Karim said the Sino Hydro Corp is not doing the repair work, although it is supposed to do so. Movement of vehicles has slowed, causing considerable traffic congestion.
The Roads and Highways Department has started repairing the damaged roads by filling up the potholes and ditches with brick-dust and concrete.
Sergeant Zillur Rahman of Kumira Highway Police said most of 69-kilometre Chittagong section of the Chittagong-Dhaka four-lane highway has developed innumerable potholes, causing sufferings for passengers.
The cracks and potholes developed following rains, as the bitumen work had started on the 4-lane extension project.
In some parts of Chittagong section, the four-lane extension work has been completed.  But rains have caused potholes and ditches on the newly-constructed roads where the bitumen work was going on.
This has caused immense suffering to the travellers ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr, the biggest Muslim festival, he said.
    pankajdastider@gmail.com