Hathazari locals block Ctg-Khagrachhari Highway for 3hrs over road safety concerns
According to local residents, accidents frequently occur on the Hathazari-Nazirhat section of the highway due to inadequate safety measures at various points.
Hathazari local residents blocked the Chattogram-Khagrachhari highway for nearly three hours last night (8 September), demanding the construction of road dividers and installation of adequate lighting to prevent frequent accidents.
The residents began blocking the Chattogram-Khagrachhari highway around 8:30pm after news of the accident spread.
Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Zahidur Rahman told The Business Standard that the road is accident-prone and accidents frequently occur in the area.
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"There has been long-standing frustration among local residents over the issue. Following last night's accident, they blocked the road and gave a 24-hour ultimatum demanding the construction of dividers and adequate lighting," he said.
The protest was triggered by an accident in which Md Emran, 22, was injured near Charia Board School in Hathazari. The blockade continued until around 11:10pm, bringing traffic to a halt and leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded on both sides of the highway.
Later, the OC, an additional police commissioner, the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO), and other relevant officials visited the site and spoke with the protesters. They assured the residents that their demands would be addressed, following which the protesters withdrew from the highway and traffic movement resumed.
According to local residents, accidents frequently occur on the Hathazari-Nazirhat section of the highway due to inadequate safety measures at various points.
They particularly highlighted the area near Charia Board School and several other locations where the absence of road dividers increases the risk of head-on collisions.
