Accidents on the rise : U-loop construction stalled in Cumilla Padua Bazar due to land acquisition complexities
Zakir Azad, Cumilla
The construction of the U-loop in Padua Bazar, Cumilla is stuck due to acquisition of land complexities. In absence of that, accidents and loss of life are increasing while moving through risky U-turns.
Locals complained that the infrastructure in Padua Bazar has not been built with a long-term plan based on importance. And the road management authority says that accidents will decrease if the acquisition complex is completed and the Europe is constructed.
According to the RHD, Paduar Bazar, the lifeline of Bangladesh's economy, is one of the busiest bypasses in the country's 6 southeastern districts, where the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway and the Cumilla -Noakhali Highway meet. However, the construction of the U-loop, which is essential for safe and uninterrupted traffic movement at the junction of the two highways, has been stalled for years. Due to which vehicles are having to face accidents while moving through risky U-turns. One accident after another and loss of life.
Although it was late to ensure smooth
movement of such risky traffic on the highway, the Paduar Bazar U-loop construction project started in October 2022. It was supposed to be completed in June this year, which is now two months overdue.
However, only 40 percent of the entire U-loop has been completed. The district administration has not yet been able to acquire land for the U-loop on the northern side of the highway. While acquiring it, the district administration has received 57 objections on the northern side of the highway alone. So far, only one objection has been resolved.
According to Highway Police sources, the U-loop is being constructed at the Paduar Bazar intersection of the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway and the Cumilla -Noakhali Highway. The need for a U-loop in the Paduar Bazar area is very high in the road communication of the southeastern part of the country. Because various vehicles coming from all over the country including Dhaka-Chittagong-Sylhet enter Noakhali, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Cumilla , Feni at this place. Vehicles have to make U-turns or cross the road at this place to reach their destination. But if this movement is not safe, accidents happen. Incidents like loss of life and limb occur. Therefore, it is very important to complete the U-loop construction work in this area quickly.
Cumilla Region Police Superintendent Md. Khairul Balam said that in the past, the highway facilities were not constructed according to the correct rules and long-term plans, and the complexity is increasing with the increase in vehicles over time. The Roads and Townships Department will have to construct the facilities keeping these issues in mind. The unplanned U-turns in the Paduar Bazar area should be closed and U-loops should be constructed very soon. Then the traffic movement in this place will be safe.
Local public said, in the larger interest, the complications of the Paduar Bazar U-loop construction should be resolved quickly. If there are any complications regarding land acquisition, the acquisition work should be completed quickly after consulting local politicians and lawyers. Otherwise, all the departments concerned with road management will have to take responsibility for all these accidents. Because the government has allocated money for the construction of U-loop within the stipulated time, feeling the need of the people here.
Cumilla Roads and Townships Department Executive Engineer Khandaker Golam Mostafa said, 40 percent of the U-loop construction work has been completed. Our contractor is continuing work on the southern side. But we have not yet received land on the northern side. If we are given land acquisition quickly, we will complete the work within a year.
Cumilla Deputy Commissioner Md. Amirul Kaiser said that the old U-turn has been closed as a temporary solution to prevent accidents in Padua Bazar. Efforts will be made to resolve the 57 objections that have been raised regarding land acquisition on the northern side of the highway for the construction of the U-loop within the next three months.
He also said that the accident-prone U-turn in Padua Bazar has been closed. A new, wider U-turn will be constructed a little further east and traffic will be started temporarily. We will not allow traffic to move in the opposite direction anywhere.
