96 electric poles on road raise accident risk

The road is now wider than before. Vehicle movement has also increased. But the electric poles standing in the middle of the road appear to be obstructing the improved situation. Poles come into view immediately after turning a bend. Drivers have to slow down to pass them. While the situation can somehow be managed during the day, the risk of accidents increases at night. A total of 96 electric poles remains on a 17.60-kilometer section of the Yangcha Surajpur Shantibazar Road in Chakaria, Cox’s Bazar as vehicles continue to use the road. The road expansion work was completed nearly four years ago, but the poles have still not been removed.

The Roads and Highways Department (RHD) said there are 96 electric poles on the Chakaria section of the 19-kilometer highway. Of these, 25 poles are located along a nearly three kilometer stretch from the Kakara Majherfari Bridge to Surajpur Village Para in Surajpur Manikpur Union. The poles are creating obstacles to vehicle movement and increasing the risk of accidents, particularly on curved sections.

The road was widened to improve communication between Chakaria and Lama Upazila of the hill district of Bandarban. Work on the Tk 55 crore 22 lakh 93 thousand project began in mid-2019. Construction was completed on June 30, 2022. The road was inaugurated by the then prime minister on December 21 of the same year.

Under the project, expansion and new construction work was carried out on different sections of the road. According to RHD data, flexible pavement was widened along an 11.50-kilometer section. A 300-meter rigid pavement and 11 RCT box culverts were constructed. In addition, 7.50 kilometers of new road were constructed in the Koiyarbil and Surajpur areas.

Local residents said communication has become much easier than before following construction of the road. Abdul Alim, a resident of Yangcha Village Para, said, “Previously, we had to travel from Yangcha Bazar through Hansher Dighi to reach Chakaria town. Now it is easy to go through Surajpur. However, vehicles move slowly because of the poles on the road.”

Drivers said the poles are obstructing vehicle movement and increasing the risk of accidents. Truck driver Rafiqul Alam said, “This road is important for traveling from Lama and Alikadam to Chakaria town. But driving is risky because of the electric poles on the road. The situation becomes even more difficult at night on the winding road. A pickup fell into a ditch a few days ago because of a pole.”

Local shopkeeper Fazal Karim alleged that the contractor left after handing over the construction work once it was completed. However, the electric poles were not removed. He said letters have been exchanged between the RHD and the power department but the issue has not been resolved. As a result, local residents and vehicles have to travel at risk every day.

Sajjad Hossain, sub assistant engineer of the Chakaria Roads Subdivision of RHD, said, “I joined this office a few days ago. I am not aware of the matter. Having electric poles on the road is dangerous. The matter will be looked into and reported to the higher authorities.”

Mohammad Emran Gani, deputy general manager of the Chakaria Division of Cox’s Bazar Palli Bidyut Samity, said, “A letter was sent to the RHD regarding the removal of the poles when the road expansion work began.” He claimed that several letters were exchanged with the RHD regarding the removal of the poles during construction but no solution was reached. He said they would begin removing the poles if there was an allocation for their removal under the project or if a separate allocation was provided by the RHD.