142 deaths on roads in 11 days: report

At least 142 people were killed and 324 injured in road accidents across the country in 11 days during Eid rush, a non-government organisation said in a press release.

The casualties occurred in 95 crashes on national, regional and district highways from May 30 to June 9, according to National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways (NCPSRR).

The organisation prepared the report based on news from online portals, newspaper websites, news agencies and TV channels.

Aside from accidents, holidaymakers’ journey on roads and riverways was relatively smooth this year. However, people taking trains faced difficulties due to technical glitches in online ticketing and schedule collapses, it said.

NCPSSR said people faced less hassle on waterways, as there were sufficient number of launches operating from Sadarghat. However, a number of launch staff charged extra fare from passengers.

The report alleged that authorities could not stop overcharging bus companies on long routes. It also said buses, auto-rickshaws and ride-sharing service providers inside Dhaka charged two-three times higher than usual fares.

NCPSRR General Secretary Ashis Kumar Dey said they found six major reasons of accidents including motorbikes and three-wheelers on highways, and reckless overtaking.