Although Bangladesh is dreaming of becoming a developed country by 2041, it is yet to turn the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway into an expressway.
Though our $450 billion economy is mostly dependent on this four-lane highway, the last seven days disruption of the highway amid violence centring the students’ quota movement has dealt a huge blow to the economy, damaging the pipeline for around 90 percent of the country’s $120 billion trade. It’s also causing fears of losing lasting ripple effect.
Experts opined that the four-lane highway is not of the quality required for the expected economic development. To them, expressways are the best way to ensure connectivity, reduce travel time, and congestion, and ensure reliability.
Mentionable, Bangladesh has eight highways but they suggest that Dhaka-Chattogram highway should be made expressway giving its economic importance since it is connected with major tourism hubs.
Against this backdrop, businessmen sought to ensure the security of the highways and guarantee hassle-free movement. Even the railway services remained shutting down during the past seven days.
On last Saturday and Sunday, there was wide-scale violence in different places across the country. According to media reports, the death toll stood at 187 in five days till Monday.
The government has to keep in mind that no country can restore normalcy by imposing curfew. To restore normalcy, the government has to take timely decision understanding the gravity of the situation.
Finally, at a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday, the top business leaders urged the government to ensure safe passage through the Dhaka-Chattogram highway. Otherwise, they feared the business community will not survive.
To come of the untoward situation created across the country to activate the wheel of economy and to return to normal life, the government should lift curfew and restore internet service immediately without further delay.
