Protesters demand six-lane upgrade for Ctg-Cox’s Bazar Highway amid rising road fatalities

Residents of South Chattogram staged a human chain protest today (6 April) demanding the immediate expansion of the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar highway into a six-lane road. 

The protest, held in front of the Chattogram Deputy Commissioner's Office at around 11:45am, highlighted the growing number of road accidents and fatalities on the narrow highway, particularly during holiday seasons.

Following the demonstration, organisers submitted a memorandum to the Chief Advisor of the interim government through Additional Deputy Commissioner Md Kamruzzaman, urging swift action. 

Protesters warned that if the government fails to initiate the expansion process by 30 April, they will launch more rigorous protest programs.

Speakers at the event emphasised the urgent need for road expansion. 

"Every Eid and major holiday, we brace ourselves for another round of tragic accidents on the Cox's Bazar road. Families travel in hope of joy but are instead met with death. This has become a national tragedy," said one protester. 

"Cox's Bazar is an international tourist hub, yet the condition of the highway is appalling and continues to claim lives."

Imon Mohammad, a central organiser from the Democratic Student Council, elaborated on the specific challenges posed by the current road structure. 

"We want a proper six-lane road with a median divider. The road is so narrow that even two buses cannot pass safely without endangering smaller vehicles. Salt-laden trucks often leak water, making the road slippery and increasing the risk of accidents."

He also pointed to the dangerous presence of unregulated autorickshaws on the highway. 

"Illegal three-wheelers contribute significantly to the chaos. A wider, regulated road would improve safety and boost tourism in Cox's Bazar."

Mahmudur Rahman Saeedi, a faculty member at the University of Chittagong, criticised the current road's condition. 

"This road, a national highway, is worse than a footpath in Dhaka. With an average width of just 18 feet, it cannot safely accommodate two vehicles side by side. The government must act now—not with promises, but with immediate implementation."

Supreme Court Deputy Attorney General Advocate Farid Uddin Khan echoed these concerns. 

"The highway has become a death trap. Thousands of vehicles pour in from across the country, but the narrow, winding road cannot handle the pressure. Lives are being lost, and families are being devastated."

He added, "Patching up the road with a few speed bumps or brick linings won't fix this. We need a proper six-lane expansion."

Recent statistics reinforce the urgency. In the Lohagara area of the highway alone, 17 people were killed and over 30 injured in separate accidents during the first three days of Eid-ul-Fitr. Residents blame reckless driving, leaking salt truck water, and unregulated three-wheeler movement.

According to Highway Police data, the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar highway witnessed 54 accidents in the last three months, resulting in 40 deaths and 73 injuries. Chattogram district alone accounted for 37 accidents and 31 fatalities—figures described as "deeply alarming" by protestors.

The demonstrators reiterated their call for the government to prioritise the six-lane expansion and put an end to what they called "a relentless march of death" on the highway.