Trishal: A notorious accident black spot

The 20-kilometre stretch of Trishal upazila on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway is considered as a hotspot for road accidents in the region.

On the other hand, the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway which extends over 120 kilometres is one of the top-listed accident-prone routes across the country.

According to the record of the Trishal Police Station, more than 47 accidents took place in the Trishal part of the highway last year (2023) that claimed 54 lives.

Besides, 16 people have died in 15 road accidents in the current year so far.

The point (Trishal upazila) has also been identified as most risky for the students and teachers of Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University (JKKNIU).

The JKKNIU buses carrying teachers and students have to ply along this stretch amid high risks of accident.

On March 28 last, three people including a student of Nazrul University were killed in a collision between a bus and a CNG-run auto-rickshaw.

This caused a massive outrage and triggered agitation among the Nazrul University students who raised a demand for safe road to the authorities concerned, also a demand for fit buses from the university administration.

On this stretch of the highway, accidents always frequently occur.

Basically, accidents involving three-wheelers like Nasimon and Karimon and battery-run easy-bike mostly happen while unplanned U-turn, shortage of signal lights and neglect of traffic police in duty are the main causes of accident, said Delwar Hossen Rony, a student of Nazrul University's Music Department.

Another student Tayeb Shahnur said, "Many buses in our university's transport pool especially the BRTC buses are not fit enough. BRTC buses often go out of order on streets. While it is mandatory to have a driver and a helper for running on the highway, BRTC buses run without a helper."

"The students are facing unbearable sufferings due to such reasons. The university administration should fix the problems as soon as possible," he added.

Another student, Arifur Rahman, said, "All other public universities of the country hire BRTC buses for students' transportation like Nazrul University. BRTC bus service follows same rules and regulations for all so we can't claim anything about their service. But we have to remain worried about students' safety due to absence of a proper traffic system on this highway."

Officer-in-charge of Trishal Police Station Md Kamal Hosen said, "Some measures have been taken to prevent road crashes on the highway. But it will not be enough, if the drivers, passengers, pedestrians and others concerned don't be serious about their responsibility."

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