Jitu Ahmed, Osmaninagar Correspondent:
Despite being banned by the highest court, battery-operated rickshaws (Tomtom) and CNG-run autorickshaws continue to defy the law, recklessly plying the Sylhet-Dhaka highway. They suddenly emerge from narrow alleys onto the highway, creating chaos. Illegal stands for CNG autorickshaws have sprung up on both sides of the highway. Mobile vendors are also competing to occupy footpaths and parts of the highway illegally. This occupation of footpaths and highways causes hours-long traffic jams, forcing long-distance vehicles and passengers into suffering, especially during Eid travel.
Though the administration occasionally conducts drives against traffic congestion and highway occupiers, no permanent solution has been achieved. Whenever the upazila administration and police conduct operations, the CNG operators and illegal businesses temporarily retreat, only to return once the operations are over.
This has caused frustration among locals. They claim that the administration has the power to solve the issue but deliberately avoids taking lasting action. Locals accuse the administration of conducting superficial drives that fail to bring any real change.
A visit to various markets along the highway, including the commercial hub of Goalabazar in the upazila, revealed that both sides of the Sylhet-Dhaka highway are occupied by illegal CNG stands in front of shops. Hundreds of autorickshaws and CNGs are parked haphazardly, while mobile shops occupy the highway’s edges. Pedestrians and school-going children are forced to walk on the busy highway, risking their lives. This not only disrupts public movement but also exacerbates traffic congestion.
Moreover, numerous battery-operated rickshaws recklessly ply the highway daily. Despite this longstanding situation, it appears no one is addressing the issue. Currently, autorickshaws are more frequently seen on the Sylhet-Dhaka highway compared to other vehicles. Most of these autorickshaw drivers lack valid driving licenses. Additionally, sand, brick, and stone traders from various areas dump their materials on the highway, making it difficult for local vehicles and pedestrians to navigate.
Sherpur Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abu Taher Dewan stated, “We have discussed this with the Osmaninagar Upazila Nirbahi Officer, and a joint operation, particularly in Goalabazar, involving the army, will be conducted soon.”
Osmaninagar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Joynal Abedin emphasized the need for broader measures to remove highway occupations and reduce traffic congestion. He said, “We have already conducted several operations in Goalabazar from the upazila administration. Our efforts to clear the highway and reduce traffic congestion are ongoing.”
