Years of neglect leave Lalmonirhat–Burimari highway in dire condition

The 105-kilometre Lalmonirhat–Burimari International Highway, the only road link to Burimari land port; one of the key land ports of northern Bangladesh, has turned into a major hazard for commuters and transport workers due to years of neglect and lack of development projects.

Despite its national importance as a trade route connecting Bangladesh with India, Bhutan and Nepal, no major development project has been taken for the highway in the last 17 years, according to officials of the Roads and Highways Department (RHD).

The road currently has 32 dangerous curves and 11 level crossings, while its width is only 18 feet, making it insufficient for two heavy trucks to pass side by side.

Burimari land port, located in Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat, is built on only 11.15 acres of land. Every day, around 300 to 400 cargo trucks from India, Nepal and Bhutan enter Bangladesh through the port, while 70 to 80 trucks leave the country.

Due to the lack of parking and handling space inside the port, hundreds of trucks are forced to wait on the highway, further worsening congestion and increasing the risk of accidents.

Local residents and bus drivers said accidents occur almost daily at some of the sharp bends along the highway. Traffic jams have become a regular phenomenon due to illegally parked trucks on the narrow road and poor road conditions.

Transport workers said that under normal circumstances, it should take about three hours to reach Burimari land port from Lalmonirhat town. However, due to the poor condition of the road, the journey now takes nearly five hours.

“You have to drive very carefully. A slight mistake can cause an accident,” one driver said.

Truck driver Moshiur Rahman expressed frustration, saying, “The highway is so narrow that traffic jams are constant. Turning vehicles is difficult, and accidents happen frequently. It is shocking that such an important port road remains in this condition.”

On-site visit shows that the highway is riddled with potholes of various sizes, temporary patchwork, waterlogging after rain and thick layers of dust. Continuous movement of heavy vehicles raises clouds of dust, further reducing visibility and increasing health risks for locals.

Due to the poor road conditions, many transport workers are reluctant to carry goods from Burimari land port, resulting in a shortage of trucks.

Clearing and Forwarding (C and F) agent Ashikur Rahman, who handles the complex process of customs clearance and freight forwarding for imports and exports, said that traders are facing losses as trucks have to be hired at higher rates.

“Widening and proper renovation of this highway is essential to strengthen trade through the land port,” he said.

Officials of the Burimari land port traffic department acknowledged the space shortage and said a project is underway to acquire 40 acres of land. Under the project, a passenger terminal and road infrastructure will be developed, which is expected to reduce vehicle congestion on the highway.

Lalmonirhat RHD Executive Engineer Md Azaharul Islam said, “This is a national highway. We are planning to prepare a design and project to widen the road to at least 24 feet or even four lanes if required."

"However, procedural complexities have delayed the work. We hope the planning process will begin very soon,” he added.

As accidents, traffic jams and economic losses continue to mount, locals and stakeholders are urging the authorities to take immediate action to upgrade the Lalmonirhat–Burimari highway before more lives are lost.