Highways from Dhaka to Divisional Cities Are Tattered With Misery

The highways connecting Dhaka with the major divisional cities across Bangladesh have increasingly become sources of misery for passengers, transport workers and businesspeople. Widespread potholes, damaged road surfaces, inadequate maintenance and persistent traffic congestion have turned journeys into exhausting experiences, raising serious questions about the quality of the country's road infrastructure.

Thousands of people travel daily between Dhaka and divisional cities, including Chattogram, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal and Rangpur. However, many stretches of these important highways remain in deplorable condition. Cracks, uneven surfaces, broken shoulders and waterlogged sections frequently disrupt traffic movement, particularly during the rainy season.

The Dhaka-Chattogram Highway, one of the country's most important economic corridors, carries enormous volumes of passenger and freight traffic. Damage to different sections of the road often causes lengthy delays, increasing transportation costs and disrupting supply chains. Similar difficulties are experienced by travelers using highways connecting Dhaka with northern and southwestern Bangladesh.

Passengers frequently complain that journeys that should take a few hours sometimes require considerably longer because of road damage and congestion. Long-distance bus operators also face rising maintenance expenses as vehicles sustain damage while navigating poorly maintained roads. The situation is particularly difficult for patients requiring emergency medical transportation and people traveling for urgent professional or family commitments.

The economic consequences are equally serious. Bangladesh depends heavily on road transportation for moving agricultural products, industrial raw materials and manufactured goods. Poor highway conditions increase fuel consumption, vehicle operating costs and delivery times. Small traders and farmers are especially vulnerable because transportation expenses directly affect their profit margins.

Although road development projects have received considerable government attention over the years, questions remain about maintenance standards, project supervision and accountability among responsible authorities. Constructing new roads and widening existing highways cannot deliver sustainable benefits unless regular maintenance receives equal priority.

The government should undertake an immediate assessment of damaged highway sections and introduce time-bound repair programs. Proper drainage systems, durable construction materials and transparent monitoring are essential to prevent repeated deterioration.