Accidents on rise as safety work incomplete

Different 'black spots' on Panchagarh-Dinajpur highway in Thakurgaon Sadar upazila see frequent accidents as work for construction of new jersy barriers (generally called road dividers) has remained half-done for around six months, making the road too narrow and risky.

On February 18, truck helper Soleman Ali Pramanik, 50, son of Sadek Ali Pramanik of Baiguni village in Gabtoli upazila of Bogra district, died on the spot as the truck hit the incomplete divider at Salondar Chowdhuryhat.

On February 20, a truck hit the divider at the same spot.

The next day, another truck turned turtle as it lost balance on the road that became slanted due to incomplete construction work.

Around 30 accidents occurred at the spot in last three months, killing at least two people and badly injuring over 30 others, said Fazle Elahi Mukut Chowdhury, chairman of Salondar union parishad.

Three people were injured at Untrish Mile village point on the highway the same day as a Thakurgaon-bound goods carrying truck from Baghabari in Pabna hit the new jersy barrier there around 5:30am.

"The accident occurred as in absence of any warning mark there, I failed to realise that a half-done barrier was built in the middle of the road. I demand punishment of the contractor and the authority concerned," Nur Alam, 55, driver of the truck, said.

Visiting different black spots, this correspondent saw low wall like incomplete structures in the middle of the road.    

The half-done work poses risk for commuters on vehicles as well as pedestrians, said Md Manik, 28, an employee of a primary school of Salondar village.  

Vehicles, especially goods-laden trucks, face the risk of falling into the roadside ditches as the dug up area meant for widening of the road remains a bit sloping due to the incomplete construction work.

The Roads and Highways Department (RHD) of Thakurgaon floated tender early last year for construction of new jersy barriers and road expansion work at eight accident-prone black spots on highways in Thakurgaon, Nilphamari and Panchagarh districts.

Five of the spots are on Panchagarh-Dinajpur highway at Untrish Mile, Bara Khochabari, Chhoto Khochabari, Old Bus Stand and Salondar Chowdhuryhat village in Thakurgaon Sadar upazila.  

The RHD issued work order to Taj Monjil Construction on May 6 last year to complete the Tk 8.49 crore project titled 'Black Spot Improvement Project' for construction of new jersy barriers and road expansion on both sides of the spots by November 5, 2016.  

The construction firm started work last August. But after making some barriers in the middle of the road at five points in a month, they stopped the work.       

Two letters were issued to the contractor on December 10 last year and February 10 this year to resume the work immediately but to no effect, said the executive engineer of Thakurgaon RHD.

Admitting danger of making new jersy barrier in the middle of the road before widening it, he said, "I will contact my higher authority and take necessary steps in this regard."