The Elenga-Hatikumrul-Rangpur Highway Development Project (SASEC Connection Project-2), scheduled for completion this December, is facing severe criticism as large sections of the newly constructed Sirajganj corridor are already failing.
The 36-kilometer stretch from Jamuna Bridge West to Chandaikona has been described as a "real dirt road" with the highway, bridges, and culverts sinking in places, creating dangerous "high and low waves."
Safety Hazards and Accidents: The uneven road surface, particularly near construction zones like the Dhatia Bridge and the slopes of bridges at Nalka and Sayedabad, is forcing vehicles to drive dangerously. Truck drivers report loss of control, while general transport drivers cite difficulties in giving way, leading to frequent accidents. Police sources confirm a dangerous trend: 103 accidents and 70 fatalities were recorded on this highway between January and October alone, with many other incidents being settled privately.
Project Scope and Status: This crucial 190.4-kilometer highway is being upgraded to a 6-lane international standard with separate slow-vehicle lanes, connecting the country to major regional networks (SASEC, Asian Highway, BIMSTEC). The massive project, jointly funded by the Bangladesh government and the ADB, is estimated at Tk 16,662 crore.
Project Manager Md. Mahbubur Rahman stated that 85-88% of the work is complete and still expects the December deadline to be met. He assured that any existing defects will be fixed during the finishing phase and that contractors are held accountable by a three-year Defect Liability Period (DPL) for post-completion repairs.
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