Rain-Driven Death Trap on Dhaka-Chattanooga Highway’s Feni Section: Accident Risks Soar ​Jahangir Alam, Staff Reporter.

​Continuous heavy rainfall has left the Feni section of the Dhaka-Chittagong highway in a severely dilapidated state. Numerous small and large potholes have emerged at various critical points along the highway, turning the entire area into a virtual "death trap." As rainwater accumulates in these potholes, drivers are unable to gauge their depth, constantly putting themselves at risk. Consequently, local residents and commuters fear a major accident could happen at any moment. ​On-site observations revealed that the pitch and stones have worn away, creating countless craters across the Feni stretch of the highway. Navigating this route has become exceptionally hazardous, particularly for small and medium vehicles like motorcycles, private cars, and microbuses. While drivers manage to navigate the road with caution during the day, the situation becomes far more perilous at night. A lack of adequate lighting, combined with rainwater masking the potholes, has already led to frequent minor accidents. ​"Because of the rain, the potholes stay filled with water. There's no way to tell how deep they are from a distance. Riding a motorcycle here at night is literally like risking your life," said a frustrated motorcyclist. ​According to local conscious citizens, if this situation persists on the country’s most vital economic lifeline, it will not only increase accidents but also trigger severe traffic congestions, potentially paralyzing the goods transportation system. Therefore, they have urged all highway drivers to exercise extreme caution and control their speed immediately. ​Meanwhile, locals have sought the urgent intervention of the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) to escape this immense suffering and risk. They demand that effective measures be taken to repair the damaged sections and fill the potholes at the earliest, without waiting for a major disaster to occur. Stakeholders believe that if the renovation work begins swiftly, comfort and safety will finally return to the highway.