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A major section of the Dhaka Bypass Asian Highway has developed extensive cracks and subsidence in the Sonargaon area of Narayanganj, raising concerns over road safety.
The affected section is part of the Gazipur-Joydebpur-Devgram-Bhulta-Madanpur Road four-lane upgrading project. A nearly quarter-kilometre stretch of the highway beside an underpass in the Singlab-Pakunda area has sunk, creating a serious hazard for motorists.
The situation was observed during a spot visit on Sunday. Local residents first noticed the huge cracks on Saturday.
To prevent a major accident, the Narayanganj Roads and Highways Department authorities immediately suspended traffic on the affected section. The move left hundreds of vehicles stranded, causing severe traffic congestion and inconvenience to passengers and drivers.
Project Director Syed Aslam Ali visited the site in the afternoon to assess the situation.
Long cracks have appeared both across and along different sections of the asphalt road. At several points, the asphalt has broken away, exposing the soil and construction materials underneath, while parts of the road have sunk considerably.
Local residents alleged that poor-quality construction, irregularities and the alleged removal of soil from the roadside were responsible for the damage.
Resident Anwar Hossain alleged that substandard work had been carried out during construction and questioned how the road could develop such severe damage within a year.
Another resident, Al Amin, alleged that soil had been excavated and sold from both sides of the road at night, leaving ponds beside the highway. He also claimed that the road was constructed without proper guide walls, contributing to the subsidence.
However, Project Director Syed Aslam Ali rejected allegations of poor-quality work and irregularities.
He attributed the damage to two to three days of continuous rain, which softened the soil beneath the road. He said the continuous movement of heavy vehicles then caused the softened soil to shift, resulting in subsidence and cracks.
Ali said officials of Dhaka Bypass Expressway Development Company Ltd, the private partner involved in the project, had been consulted and were working to build an emergency diversion road.
He said the damaged section would be repaired as soon as possible by drilling and reinforcing areas where the soil had shifted.
Meanwhile, local residents have demanded an impartial investigation to determine the actual cause of the damage and called for legal action against any foreign contractor or influential local group found responsible for alleged irregularities.