Traffic movement on Kushtia-Rajbari regional highway halted for 2 hours

Vehicular movement on the Kushtia-Rajbari regional highway stopped for nearly two hours on Sunday as local people along with anti-discrimination student movement, blocked the road demanding a permanent halt to toll collection at the Syed Masud Rumi Bridge over Garai River in Kumarkhali upazila of Kushtia.

The protesters under the banner of Anti-Discrimination Student Front took to the highway around 10:30 am, causing immense sufferings to the dwellers.

An 8-10 km long tailback has been created on both sides of the highway due to the protest, causing immense sufferings to the commuters.

On information, Kumarkhali Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) SM Mikail Islam and Roads and Highways Department Executive Engineer Muhammad Manzurul Karim, as well as senior army and police officials rushed to the spot.

However, the vehicular movement came to normal around 12:30 pm following the assurance from the UNO to take action within two days in this regard.

During the visit, it was seen that the protestors occupying the road at the toll plaza, chanting slogans and formed a human chain.

Due to long tailback on both sides of the highway, passengers opted to walk to their destinations.

“I had been stuck on the bus for over an hour. It didn’t seem like the blockade would end soon, so I’m walking to the office,” said Khaleda Khatun, a passenger who was caught in the gridlock.

Raju Ahmed from Khoksa upazila, who was en route to court said, “People are suffering a lot, but if today’s hardship leads to permanent removal of tolls, then it’s worth it.”

KMR Shaheen, a senior member of the Kumarkhali Nagorik Committee, claimed the bridge construction costs had been fully recovered years ago.

“Authorities are now trying to extort money in the name of tolls. That’s why we’re protesting today,” he said, acknowledging the public inconvenience caused by the blockade.

Afzal Hossain, nayeb-e-amir of the local unit Jamaat-e-Islami, said, “We won’t allow public pockets to be picked any longer under the guise of toll collection. The movement will continue until the demand is met.”

Md Solaiman Sheikh, officer-in-charge of Kumarkhali Police Station, said, “The situation returned to normal after fruitful talks between the administration and protestors.

According to sources, the bridge was constructed in 2004 at a cost of Tk 35 crore. Toll collection began in 2005 through private leaseholders.

When the last three-year lease expired in June 2024, the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) began collecting tolls directly, earning Tk 3–4 lakh in daily revenue.

RHD Executive Engineer Muhammad Manzurul Karim said that toll collection had been suspended since August 13, resulting in losses of over Tk 11 crore.

“The protestors’ demands have been forwarded to higher authorities. A decision may come within two days,” he said.