Major cracks, cave-ins raise safety concerns on Dhaka Bypass in Sonargaon
Authorities suspend traffic on affected section amid fears of further subsidence and accidents.
A nearly 250-metre section of the Dhaka Bypass, also known as the Asian Highway, has developed major cracks and partially subsided in Sonargaon of Narayanganj, raising safety concerns among commuters and others.
The damage was reported on 3 October on the under-construction bypass section east of an underpass in the Pakunda area. The Roads and Highways Department temporarily halted traffic on the affected side to prevent accidents, causing long tailbacks and disrupting commuters and drivers.
Project Director Syed Aslam Ali inspected the damaged section on Saturday afternoon.
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Several cracks were visible across the paved surface, with asphalt peeling off at some points and exposing the soil and aggregate underneath. Parts of the road had also subsided, raising concerns about further deterioration.
Locals blamed poor construction quality and the removal of soil from beside the road for the damage.
Rubel Hossain, a local shopkeeper, alleged that the road was built hastily using low-quality materials.
"Small cracks have appeared at several other points along the road. But the section east of the underpass is now the clearest example," he said.
Another resident, Al Amin, alleged that a group had been illegally cutting and selling soil from beside the road at night, leaving deep holes along the highway.
He also claimed that no guide wall had been built along the roadside, allowing the soil beneath the road to shift and causing the section to collapse.
However, Project Director Aslam rejected allegations of substandard construction and irregularities.
"Soil underneath the road had become soft following several days of continuous rain. The movement of heavy vehicles had also contributed to the problem, causing the softened soil to shift and parts of the road to settle and crack," he said.
Aslam said discussions had been held with officials of the construction company and Dhaka Bypass Expressway Development Company Ltd over the damage.
"An emergency diversion road will be constructed to restore normal traffic movement," he added.
