Narrow potholed Bhanga-Kuakata highway turns risky as traffic surges

The Bhanga-Kuakata highway has become increasingly dangerous following a nearly tenfold rise in traffic after the opening of the Padma Bridge, leaving motorists to navigate narrow roads, dangerous bends and multiple potholes.
Illegal three-wheelers, risky overtaking and competition among bus operators have further heightened the risk of accidents. A number of commuters said that the deteriorating road conditions and rising death toll have also prompted some passengers travelling between Dhaka and the southern region to switch back to waterways for safety.
According to the Roads and Highways Department (RHD), between 16,000 and 19,000 vehicles used to ply the Barishal-Kuakata highway daily before the Padma Bridge opened. The number has since risen to 30,000-32,000, doubling during Eid and other festivals.
The increased traffic has put pressure on the approximately 200-kilometre route connecting the Dhaka-Barishal highway with Kuakata in Patuakhali. Data from the Bangladesh Road Safety Foundation showed that around 2,400 people were killed in road accidents across Barishal division over the past five years.
Saidur Rahman, executive director of the foundation, said most of the fatalities occurred on the Bhanga-Kuakata highway. “Buses travelling from Dhaka face difficulties after crossing the Padma Bridge and entering the road network towards Madaripur, as the highway from Madaripur to Kuakata is only 24 feet wide.” Buses often enter the narrower road at high speeds, while several sharp, U-shaped bends between Barishal and Kuakata increase the risk of collisions, Saidur said. 

Six-lane project delayed
Although the Padma Bridge was inaugurated on 25 June 2022, the plan to upgrade the Bhanga-Kuakata highway to six lanes has yet to make substantial progress, despite approval for land acquisition in 2018.
The estimated land acquisition cost has risen in several phases to Tk5,899 crore. An RHD source said the interim government extended the project period setting a target of completing the land acquisition process in Barishal and the relevant districts by June this year. However, progress has fallen short of expectations, and a further extension may be required, the source added.
Al-Amin Rimon, an employee of a private organisation in Dhaka, said he used to travel to Barishal by bus every Thursday night and return to Dhaka on Sunday morning. “I have stopped travelling by bus since Eid. I have witnessed three accidents with my own eyes. The journey from Barishal to Dhaka used to take only three hours, but I value my life more than time. So, I have started travelling by launch,” he said.
Shaheen Hawlader, a driver who regularly operates on the Dhaka-Barishal route, said there were 40-45 dangerous bends between Bhanga and Kuakata. Hanif Hawlader, a senior driver of Sonar Tori Paribahan, said the market areas are major accident hotspots. 

More buses, mismanagement 
Mosharraf Hossain, president of the Barishal District Bus Owners Group, said narrow roads had contributed to the proliferation of illegal vehicles. “Drivers of these vehicles often lack proper training and driving licences, and accidents involving them are also increasing,” he said.
Advocate Nazrul Islam Khan Rajan, president of the Barishal Division Development and Interest Protection Committee, said the Bhanga-Kuakata road remained neglected and underdeveloped. Accidents would continue unless the narrow highway was upgraded to six lanes, he added.