Khagrachhari-Dighinala Road
32 risky turnings cause of concern for vehicles
Vehicles passing narrow turnings, like this one at Bhoirafa on Khagrachhari-Dighinala road in Khagrachhai district, often face accidents but authorities are yet to take any initiative to widen and straighten the portions of the road.Photo: STAR
Hundreds of passenger and goods-laden vehicles daily plying Khagrachhari-Dighinala road remain vulnerable to serious accidents as there are at least 32 risky turnings on the 21-kilometre road. During the last three years, 125 people were killed and hundreds others injured in several serious accidents on the road, said sources at Dighinala police station. "The road sees frequent accidents as drivers face problem to see the vehicles coming from the opposite direction at the risky turnings. Short width of the turnings add to the situation," bus driver Ratan Kanti Chakma said. The problem becomes more serious during the rainy season, especially for newcomers, as the abundantly growing grasses and weeds beside the road creates problem to adjust, said another bus driver Mohammad Rahman. With gradual rise of vehicular movement, journey on the road is becoming riskier day by day, said jeep driver Binu Chakma. Earlier only jeeps, mini buses and mini trucks plied the road but now the big sized passenger buses and heavy trucks use the road, increasing the risk of serious accidents there, said truck driver Nur Mohammad. The most risky turnings of the road are those in Charmile, Choymile, Voirafa and Bangalipara areas, said a few drivers regularly using the road. "We approached the authorities concerned several times for solving the longstanding problem of the risky turnings of Khagrachhari-Dighinala road but to no effect," said SM Shofi, general secretary of Khagrachhari Bus Owners' Association. Admitting the situation, Dighinala Upazila Nirbahi Officer PKM Anamul Karim said the authorities concerned should take necessary steps as soon as possible to extend the turnings areas in risky areas of Khagrachhari-Dighinala road. Contacted, Captain Foysal of 19 Engineering Construction Battalion of Bangladesh Army, said the department is planning to extend the portions at risky turnings of Khagrachhari-Dighinala road.
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