Published: 11:18 AM, 21 September 2026
Poor Plight of Highways from Dhaka to Other Cities Remains Unaddressed
Jamil Ahmed Howlader
Bangladesh's highways are the lifelines of its economy, connecting the capital with major cities, industrial centers, ports, agricultural regions and rural communities. Yet despite years of investment in road infrastructure, many travelers continue to face damaged surfaces, traffic congestion, unsafe driving conditions, inadequate road markings and poorly managed roadside development. The continuing problems on several major routes have raised questions about why the country's highway network remains under persistent pressure.
Dhaka is the center of Bangladesh's administrative, commercial and economic activities. Every day, thousands of buses, trucks, private cars, motorcycles and other vehicles leave the capital for cities such as Chattogram, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Khulna, Rangpur, Mymensingh and Barishal. These roads carry passengers and essential goods, but their condition and capacity do not always match the country's growing population and economic activity.
One of the most visible problems is congestion. Roads that were designed to handle substantially less traffic now accommodate enormous numbers of vehicles. During holidays, festivals and weekends, traffic pressure can become particularly severe. Long queues develop at bridges, intersections, markets and highway bottlenecks, turning journeys that should take a few hours into exhausting trips lasting much longer.
The Dhaka-Chattogram highway is among the country's most important transportation corridors. It connects the capital with the country's major port city and serves a large share of national trade. Trucks carrying export and import goods, buses carrying passengers and private vehicles all compete for road space. Delays on this corridor can therefore have economic consequences far beyond the inconvenience experienced by individual travelers.
The Dhaka-Sylhet route faces its own challenges. Heavy traffic, roadside markets, intersections and mixed use of the highway can slow movement considerably. Buses, trucks, CNG-powered vehicles, motorcycles, rickshaws and other vehicles often operate within the same road environment. The resulting differences in speed and driving behavior can increase the risk of crashes.
Similar difficulties are visible on highways connecting Dhaka with northern and southwestern regions. In many locations, local traffic mixes with long-distance vehicles. Unauthorized roadside parking, makeshift markets, pedestrian crossings and commercial establishments can reduce effective road capacity. Without proper traffic management, even a relatively wide highway can become congested.
Road safety remains another major concern. Speeding, reckless overtaking, driving against traffic, unfit vehicles, overloaded trucks and inadequate enforcement can contribute to serious accidents. Poor visibility, insufficient lighting, damaged road surfaces and unclear lane markings can further increase risks, particularly at night or during bad weather.
Pedestrians are especially vulnerable. Many communities have developed alongside highways, and residents frequently need to cross busy roads to reach schools, markets, workplaces or public transportation. In some areas, safe pedestrian crossings, footbridges and underpasses are insufficient. A modern highway system must take the safety of pedestrians and local residents into account rather than treating the road exclusively as a corridor for vehicles.
Another problem is the condition of road surfaces. Heavy trucks and buses place considerable pressure on highways. Waterlogging, inadequate drainage and repeated excavation for utilities can also contribute to deterioration. When damaged sections are repaired temporarily instead of being reconstructed properly, the same problems can return after the next monsoon or period of heavy traffic.
Bangladesh's climate makes drainage particularly important. Heavy monsoon rainfall can weaken road foundations and create standing water if drainage systems are inadequate. Roads need to be designed and maintained according to local environmental conditions. Regular inspection before and after the rainy season can help identify weaknesses before they become major failures.
The rapid growth of roadside businesses has also changed the character of many highways. Markets, restaurants, workshops, warehouses and informal stalls have developed close to major roads. While these businesses provide livelihoods and services to communities, unplanned roadside development can create frequent stopping points and pedestrian movements. Traffic authorities and local administrations need to balance economic activity with highway safety.
Public transportation is another factor. Long-distance buses provide essential services for millions of Bangladeshis, but competition among operators can sometimes produce unsafe practices. Stopping at unauthorized locations, picking up passengers in traffic lanes and aggressive competition for passengers can disrupt traffic and increase accident risks. Clearly enforced rules and designated bus stops could help improve the situation.
Truck transportation presents a different challenge. Bangladesh's economy depends heavily on road freight, particularly for moving agricultural products, industrial materials and consumer goods. Heavy vehicles are essential to commerce, but overloaded or poorly maintained trucks can damage roads and create safety hazards. Effective axle-load enforcement and regular vehicle inspections are therefore important parts of highway management.
Maintenance is as important as construction. Bangladesh has invested heavily in new bridges, expressways and highway improvements, but infrastructure can deteriorate rapidly if maintenance is delayed. Roads require regular resurfacing, drainage cleaning, shoulder repairs, bridge inspections, repainting of markings and replacement of damaged signs.
Technology could also play a greater role. Intelligent traffic-management systems, electronic toll collection, traffic cameras, GPS-based monitoring and digital reporting platforms can help authorities identify congestion and dangerous locations. Data collected from highways could be used to determine where accidents occur most frequently and where engineering improvements are needed.
Emergency response is equally important. When crashes occur, injured people may need rapid medical attention. Highway authorities, police, fire services and hospitals should have coordinated emergency-response arrangements. Emergency lanes and strategically located trauma facilities could reduce the time between an accident and medical treatment.
The quality of highways also affects regional economic development. Better roads can connect farmers with markets, manufacturers with suppliers and businesses with consumers. Poor transportation, by contrast, increases travel time and vehicle operating costs. Delays can also cause perishable agricultural products to deteriorate before reaching markets.
For ordinary passengers, however, the highway problem is more immediate. A journey between cities can involve hours of waiting in traffic, overcrowded buses, unsafe overtaking and uncomfortable road conditions. Families traveling during holidays often face particularly difficult conditions, with congestion beginning well before they reach major cities.
The continuing problems indicate that highway development cannot be measured only by the number of kilometers constructed. A road may be technically complete but still perform poorly if traffic management, maintenance, safety enforcement and roadside planning are inadequate.
Bangladesh needs a coordinated approach to its highway system. Road construction agencies, transport authorities, police, local administrations and city authorities must work together rather than addressing individual problems separately. Highway planning should also consider future population growth, vehicle ownership and industrial expansion.
There is a need for stronger enforcement against illegal roadside occupation and unsafe vehicle practices. At the same time, enforcement should be accompanied by practical alternatives. Removing a roadside market without providing an appropriate location for vendors may simply move the problem elsewhere. Sustainable highway management requires planning that considers both transportation and local livelihoods.
The government and relevant authorities also need to make maintenance more transparent. Road conditions should be regularly inspected, and repair schedules should be publicly communicated. Contractors responsible for construction and maintenance should be held accountable for the quality and durability of their work.
Citizens also have responsibilities. Drivers should obey speed limits, avoid dangerous overtaking, maintain vehicles properly and respect traffic rules. Passengers can contribute by refusing to encourage unsafe driving practices and by using designated stops whenever possible.
The poor condition and overcrowding of some highways are not problems that can be solved overnight. Bangladesh's transport network has developed under enormous demographic and economic pressure. Nevertheless, continued delays in addressing recurring problems can impose significant costs on the economy and on public safety.
A modern highway network should provide more than a paved route between two cities. It should offer safe, predictable and efficient movement for passengers and goods. That requires durable construction, regular maintenance, effective traffic management, strict safety enforcement and careful control of roadside development.
The highways linking Dhaka with other cities are too important to remain trapped in a cycle of congestion, emergency repairs and recurring safety concerns. Bangladesh's economic future depends partly on how efficiently people and goods can move across the country. Addressing the persistent weaknesses of the highway network should therefore be treated not simply as a transportation issue but as a national development priority.
The country has demonstrated that major infrastructure projects are possible. The next challenge is to ensure that existing highways receive the same level of attention after construction as they receive during development. Only through continuous maintenance, responsible enforcement and long-term planning can Bangladesh build a road network capable of serving its growing population and economy safely and efficiently.
Jamil Ahmed Howlader writes on domestic issues and international affairs.
