Speed breakers removed in Sitakunda amid traffic gridlock; expert team to find a lasting solution
The Roads and Highways Department (RHD) has removed the temporary speed breakers installed on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway after International Islamic University Chittagong (IIUC) student Maisha Mushfirat was killed in Sitakunda, Chattogram.
The breakers were removed after severe traffic congestion developed on the highway from Friday (6 November) morning, following their installation. However, an expert team from the RHD's central Road Safety Wing will visit the site to find a lasting solution so students can cross the highway safely.
According to RHD sources, the expert team will decide on safety measures after considering the highway's design, traffic volume and students' travel times. A design for a long-term solution in the area will be prepared on the basis of their technical review.
On 3 November, a speeding lorry hit a minibus in front of IIUC's main gate at Kumira in Sitakunda, overturning it onto students. University student Maisha Mushfirat was killed on the spot, and several others were injured.
Protesting the incident, students blocked the Dhaka-Chattogram highway for nearly seven hours, pressing an eight-point demand that included safe roads, construction of a foot overbridge, punishment of those responsible and an end to illegal parking.
After the students' movement, temporary rumble strips were installed around the accident site on the joint decision of the local administration and the university authorities. But because the highway carries heavy long-distance traffic, especially container lorries and trailers, congestion built up around the speed breakers.
To avoid the jam, some vehicles began driving on the wrong side, creating a fresh risk of accidents. In this situation, the RHD began removing the speed breakers from 7am on Friday.
Maidul Islam, executive engineer of the RHD's Chattogram division, said the rumble strips had been installed on an emergency basis under a joint decision with the district administration and the university authorities. However, given the movement of heavy vehicles on a national highway, it was not a long-term or scientific solution.
He said that apart from the traffic jam, it was also encouraging a tendency among drivers to travel on the wrong side.
Maidul Islam also said that visible thermoplastic zebra crossings are being painted where the speed breakers were removed, and reflective signboards reading "Drive Slowly" are being put up.
For a lasting solution, expert and experienced engineers from the central Road Safety Wing in Dhaka will soon visit the site. They will analyse the road's geometric design, traffic pressure and students' travel schedules before deciding on the necessary measures.
The engineer said structural safety gaps exist not only around the IIUC gate but elsewhere on the highway too. He said that although there are foot overbridges at various points from Shubhapur Bridge to Sitakunda, some pedestrians do not want to use them, and some factories have illegally cut through the highway dividers.
These factors are increasing the risk of accidents. The RHD has taken the initiative to close the illegally cut dividers.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) conducted a drive on 4 November to control illegal parking around the IIUC gate. A mobile court led by executive magistrate Dipak Tripura realised 55,000 taka in fines across 15 cases.
On the other hand, in line with one of the students' key demands, the Chattogram deputy commissioner sent a demi-official (DO) letter to the secretary of the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges on Wednesday, seeking steps to build a modern foot overbridge near the IIUC gate.
