Md. Anisur Rahman Shelly :
The procession of deaths on the Yamuna Setu-Tangail-Dhaka highway is not stopping. Accidents are increasing due to excessive overtaking by motorcycle and North Bengal drivers on the highway, blocking the service lane. In the last six months, 130 fresh lives have been lost in one terrible road accident after another on this highway. During this period, at least 83 more people have been injured in 108 minor and major accidents. At the same time, 18 people have died in a train accident on the Tangail section of the railway line. Police and relevant sources have confirmed this information.
According to the information provided by the police, the intensity of accidents on the highway was the highest in May this year. The maximum number of 39 people were killed and 36 injured in May. Among them, on May 25, a tragic accident in Kalihati Upazila killed 15 people on the spot and injured 9 others. Of the deceased, 9 were from Verso Union in Manda Upazila of Naogaon. In addition, 12 people lost their lives in road accidents in January, 16 in February, 23 in March, 24 in April and 16 in June. Among the injured, 9 people died in January, 7 in February and March each, 18 in April and 6 in June. On the other hand, the death toll is increasing on unprotected railway tracks as well as highways. In the last six months, 18 people have died in train accidents in Tangail. Of these, 1 person died in January, 2 in February, 8 in March, 2 in April and 5 in May. However, it is a matter of relief that no train accident was reported in June. The matter was confirmed by Munshi Abul Bashar of Gharinda Railway Police Station in Tangail.
Meanwhile, as part of the government assistance after the accident, the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has provided financial assistance to the affected families from the Tangail Board of Trustees. A total of 2.16 crore taka has been handed over to a total of 52 victims or their families through checks in the last six months, BRTA sources said.
Motorcycle drivers Abdur Rahim, Rafsan Jamil, Arman Sheikh, Saifullah and many others said that the Jamuna Bridge-Tangail-Dhaka highway is very dangerous. It is an accident-prone area. Various vehicles have been parked and blocked in the part of this highway where there is a service lane. Therefore, motorcyclists are forced to take the highway. Besides, there is still no service lane from Elenga to Jamuna Bridge. There is a high risk of accidents due to piles of sand on both sides of the highway. They requested the concerned to remove the piles of sand on both sides.
Tangail Bus Coach Minibus Owners Association convener Shafiqul Islam Khan Shafiq said that the accident rate of vehicles from the northern region is high on this highway. He blamed the reckless speed of vehicles from the northern region for the accidents. He alleged that vehicles from the northern region are operated by incompetent drivers. Mahtab Uddin Ahmed, Assistant Director of Bangladesh Road Transport, Tangail, said that accidents occur at different times on the Jamuna Setu-Tangail-Dhaka highway. There are also casualties. To prevent road accidents, they hold awareness programs at different times with transport owners and workers and stakeholders.
Tangail Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration) Rabiul Islam advised that to prevent road accidents, drivers must first be aware. Vehicles should not be driven at reckless speeds. There are bends at different places on the highway. Driving at excessive speed on bends will cause accidents. If the rules are followed to prevent road accidents, the number of accidents will be reduced to a large extent. Drivers should drive with adequate rest. Incompetent drivers should not drive. Pedestrians should obey traffic laws.
He said that many motorcyclists are driving on the highway from the service lane. They should refrain from doing so and should reduce their speed. Besides, one of the major causes of accidents is overtaking. He urged everyone to be aware of this issue.
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