Highway repair by July 20

All the highways across the country will be fit for smooth traffic through repairs by July 20 to ease the homebound trips of passengers ahead of Eid, Communications Minister Obaidul Quader said yesterday.
“No excuse will be entertained in this regard. Action will be taken if any kind of negligence is found on the part of Roads and Highways Department officials and contracting firms,” he added.
The minister was talking to reporters after inspecting the progress of the construction work of an overpass and the four-lane Dhaka-Chittagong highway at Paduarbazar Bishwa Road area of Sadar Dakkhin upazila in Comilla, reports UNB.
A recent survey conducted by the RHD found that around 41 percent of roads and highways across the country are in a dilapidated state. Of the roads, 12 percent are severely battered.
Earlier on Thursday, transport leaders in Chittagong threatened to stop plying vehicles in the district ahead of Eid, if the authorities concerned failed to repair the appalling roads by July 14.
The leaders issued a 72-hour ultimatum at a meeting with AKM Hafiz Akhter, Chittagong superintendent of police.
Roads in Satkania, Patiya, Hathhazari upazila and the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway's Sitakunda-Mirorai stretch have turned risky for vehicular movement as numerous potholes have recently appeared after the ongoing rains.
The sorry state of the highways disrupts the communication of the homebound passengers ahead of Eid, who blame the negligence of the authorities concerned.
A total of 16 teams are working to make the highways fit for smooth traffic. Some potholes have been created in Sitakunda, Chittagong, due to the poor drainage system there, said the minister.
Makeshift shops along highways will be evicted and necessary steps will be taken to stop plying of “Nasimon”, “Karimon”, “Bhotbhoti” and other illegal three-wheelers to ensure smooth movement of vehicles, he mentioned.
The construction works of overpasses in Comilla, Feni and Chittagong will remain suspended for three days to ensure a smooth flow of traffic.