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Locals on Wednesday morning staged demonstrations and blocked several points of the busy Cumilla-Sylhet Highway, demanding its immediate repairs and long-awaited plan to upgrade the route into a four-lane one.
The protest began at 10:00 am and continued for an hour, stretching from Moynamoti to Kangshanagar with roadblocks at nine separate locations, as per a UNB report
Vehicular movement came to a halt during the demonstration, creating long traffic tailbacks on both sides of the highway.
Traffic on the route resumed after protesters withdrew their blockade upon assurances from the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) and the district police.
Protesters alleged that although the proposal to expand the highway into four lanes has been pending for years, no visible progress has been made yet.
They said the existing road is dilapidated with potholes, causing immense suffering to commuters and transport workers as well.
The highway is dangerously narrow and full of craters. Frequent accidents claim lives and cause serious injuries. Authorities must act immediately to ensure safe travel on the road, said locals during the demonstration.
The protest at Debpur was joined by local political leaders and social activists, including Moynamoti union BNP president Principal Mohammad Salauddin, Jubo Dal leader Mostafa Kamal, social worker Anwarul Azim, and Harunur Rashid.
Later, RHD Executive Engineer Khondaker Golam Mostafa and Burichang Police Station officer-in-charge Azizul Haque arrived at the protest scene and assured the protestors that repair works on the road would begin soon.
“The decision to upgrade the highway into four lanes rests with higher authorities, but emergency ones will start soon,” said Engineer Mostafa.
Protesters warned of launching a tougher movement if their demands are not met soon.