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  Demonstrators warn for tougher agitation, if road safety is not ensured

• They demand rapid completion of four lane project’s works
  

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Sirajul Islam Shishir & Abdul Latif Sarker:

Hundreds of agitating people from different areas formed a human chain on the Dhaka-Rangpur highway at Bhuiyaganti Palli Bidyut Morh (Rural Electricity intersection) in Raiganj upazila of Sirajganj district on Wednesday demanding immediate declaration the spot as accident prone area, ensuring safe road management and opening side or service road beside the main lanes for movement of three wheelers.

They also demanded removal of SASEC-II project’s officers including Project Manager Mahbubur Rahman Russell for their alleged corruptions, mismanagement and extreme negligence in constructing four-lane along the highway from Elenga to Rangpur.

During the agitation, they also blocked the highway halting the movement of all modes of vehicles that causes immense suffering to the commuters.

According to the sources, people from all walks of life including students, teachers, politicians, socio-cultural personalities and businessmen gathered at the mentioned point at around 10:00am and took part in the human chain by blocking the highway. As a result, about 15km traffic congestion from the both side of the agitation point was also created.

Photo: TDS

It is learned that, the construction of 190-kilometer highway development project (4-lane) from Taingail’s Elenga to Rangpur (four lanes) under supervision of SASEC Road Link Project-II covering the problematic portion is going on for long at a snail’s pace. Due to constant corruption, mismanagement and irregularities of the concerned construction firms and SASEC-II officials, the construction work of the four lane has been delayed even after extending times and allocation for several times. Of the works, the condition of work from Hatikumrul to Chandaikona via Bhuiyaganti is highly worsened. The work of this portion is going on at a sluggish pace due to negligence of the concerned officials and contractors. Besides, there is no service road in the mentioned portion, though the main lanes and over-bridge have been opened for all modes of vehicle’s movements that leads to frequent road accidents.

Photo: TDS

The agitators claimed that, the concerned authorities and contracting organizations have not yet been able to complete the project despite extending the work time and allocation. Even the concerned authorities have not yet been able to construct side roads or service lanes along the main lanes for the movement of three-wheeled vehicles due to their extreme apathy, negligence and irregularities. Consequently, frequent accidents are almost occurring on the sensitive highway claiming several lives and crippling many including children, women and elderly men.

Locals expressed extreme concern and anger over the series of fatal accidents mostly occurred recently (pre and post Eid) leaving many in deaths and injuries.

The speakers in the human chain said that, the Bhuiyaganti Palli Bidyut intersection has turned into death trap due to delay construction works of the four-lane project. People are being victims of fatal accidents and constantly losing their lives. In the past few days, several tragic road accidents have been occurred here, resulting in loss of lives. However, no effective action has yet been taken by the project authorities or even Roads and Highways Department as well as concerned law enforcement agencies to resolve the crisis, they complained.

The speakers also demanded immediate installation of road divider, opening of diversion road or service lane and controlling the movement of heavy vehicles like trucks at night to ensure road safety.

The protesters also warned for tougher agitation, if their demands are not met as early as possible.

Hearing the news of agitation by blocking the most important highway, Humayun Kabir, UNO of Raiganj upazila reached to the spot and brought the situation under control after assuring the agitating people to resolve the problem as soon as possible.

Later, the demonstrators also submitted a memorandum to the UNO seeking immediate action in this regard.

It is to be mentioned that, the work of the four lane construction has been going on at a turtle pace for long that grows agitation among the civil society members. The Daily Sky has already published several news-reports in this regard revealing the negligence and irregularities of the concerned construction firms and authorities of the SASEC project-II, and Roads and Highways Department. Even after publishing several reports, the higher authorities did not take any visible action against the concerned persons, who mainly were behind the negligence. The Project Manager Mahbubur Rahman Russell, who is the main among other corrupt officials, is still serving at his position. Finding no way, locals have gone for agitation and urged the high-ups to remove the project manager Mahbubur Rahman Russell from the post for the sake of make the construction works swift and free from corruption.

When this correspondent tried to contact with Mahbubur Rahman Russell over cell phone for his comment, he did not response.

ACE-Dr-waliur-Rahman

Dr. Waliur Rahman, Project Director (PD) of SASEC-II project and Additional Chief Engineer of Roads and Highways Department (RHD) said, “Action would be taken against Project Manager Mahbub, if the allegations are proved. Besides, I have heard about the highway blockade. Pressure will be put on the contracting company to complete the work in schedule time. I hope that, the four-lane project will complete this year.”