A 100-meter stretch of the Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar highway at Lohagara’s Bottoli Station has become a dangerous bottleneck, causing severe traffic congestion and increasing accident risks for thousands of daily commuters. Despite the surrounding highway being upgraded to four lanes, this critical section has remained neglected for three months, creating a hazardous environment for both long-haul buses and local transport.

Bottoli Station serves as a major commercial hub, hosting 26 banks and numerous markets that generate constant heavy vehicle traffic. The sudden narrowing of the road forces drivers of high-speed luxury buses to make abrupt maneuvers, causing panic among passengers and frequent minor collisions. Local residents and business owners have expressed growing frustration over the persistent safety hazards.

Urgent need for infrastructure completion

Long-distance travelers heading to the tourist city of Cox’s Bazar face significant delays as the road fails to accommodate the volume of vehicles. The lack of progress on this short 100-meter segment has turned the area into a persistent traffic trap, disrupting the flow of commerce and public transit alike.

The Chattogram South Roads and Highways Department stated that the work would be completed following the necessary administrative and technical procedures. However, officials failed to provide a specific timeline for the project or explain the reasons behind the ongoing delay.

Local stakeholders are now demanding immediate intervention from the authorities to widen the road and ensure public safety. They argue that resolving this bottleneck is essential to restoring the efficiency of the highway and preventing further accidents in this densely populated commercial zone.

A 65-year-old businessman named Babul Dey died after being struck by an unidentified vehicle while riding his motorcycle home in the Dulahazara area of Chakaria, Cox’s Bazar, on Tuesday night. The victim, a local pharmacy owner, was returning from his shop when the fatal collision occurred on the highway. His son, who was following him on a separate motorcycle, discovered his father lying critically injured on the road.

Babul Dey was a well-known figure in the Dulahazara market area. Following the accident, he was rushed to the Malumghat Christian Memorial Hospital, where the attending physician declared him dead upon arrival. The severity of his injuries suggests he was struck by a speeding heavy vehicle that fled the scene immediately after the impact.

Investigation and Legal Action

Officers from the Malumghat Highway Police Station arrived at the victim’s residence to conduct an inquest and have since transferred the body to the police station. Authorities stated that further legal proceedings will be determined based on the formal complaint filed by the victim’s family. Police are currently reviewing CCTV footage and interviewing potential witnesses to identify the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run.

Local residents have expressed deep shock over the tragedy and are calling for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations on the highway. They have urged authorities to increase surveillance to prevent similar accidents caused by reckless driving. Finding the driver responsible remains the primary challenge for investigators as they continue their search for the unidentified vehicle.

A 43-year-old Chinese worker, identified as Mi Xing Xiaojun, died while working inside the Barapukuria coal mine in Parbatipur upazila of Dinajpur. The worker was found unconscious in the mine’s underground facility during his night shift and was later declared dead by doctors after being rushed to Rangpur Medical College Hospital. Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident to determine if safety protocols were breached.

The victim was performing his duties at the mine’s ventilator side when he lost contact with his colleagues while working at the 1305 coal face. Following his disappearance after 3:00 am, a rescue team launched a search operation and discovered him in an unconscious state near the seal wall. He was immediately transported to the hospital for emergency medical attention, but he could not be revived.

Safety concerns and investigation

Although the mine operation department of Barapukuria Coal Mining Company Limited (BCMCL) reported the incident to the control room, the exact cause of his collapse remains unclear. The incident has raised significant questions regarding the effectiveness of safety oversight and technical monitoring within the high-risk environment of the coal mine. Officials are currently investigating whether any technical malfunctions or safety lapses contributed to the tragedy.

Parbatipur Model Police Station has initiated the process of filing an unnatural death case, and an autopsy will be conducted to ascertain the cause of death. BCMCL authorities confirmed they are coordinating with the consortium’s headquarters in China and the victim’s family. The company stated that the body will be handed over to the family following the completion of necessary legal procedures.