130 killed in Tangail road crashes in six months

A total of 130 people were killed and at least 83 others injured in 108 road accidents on the Jamuna Bridge-Tangail-Dhaka highway during the first six months of the year.

Another 18 people were killed in railway accidents in Tangail during the same period, according to police and official sources.

Police statistics show that May recorded the highest number of casualties, with 39 deaths and 36 injuries.

The deadliest single accident occurred on May 25 in Kalihati upazila, when a truck overturned, killing 15 people on the spot and injuring nine others.

Nine of the victims were from Varsho Union in Manda upazila of Naogaon district.

Monthly road fatalities stood at 12 in January, 16 in February, 23 in March, 24 in April, 39 in May and 16 in June.

Railway accidents claimed one life in January, two in February, eight in March, two in April and five in May, while no railway deaths were reported in June, according to Munshi Abul Bashar of Gharinda Railway Police Station.

Official of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) Assistant Director Mahtab Uddin Ahmed said Tk 21.6 million was distributed among 52 accident victims or their families through the Tangail Trustee Board as financial assistance during the period.

Motorcyclists blamed blocked service lanes, the absence of a service lane between Elenga and the Jamuna Bridge, sand piles along the highway and reckless overtaking for the growing number of accidents.

They urged the authorities to remove roadside obstructions and improve road safety measures.

Tangail Bus, Coach and Minibus Owners’ Association Convener Shafiqul Islam Khan Shafik alleged that speeding and unskilled drivers operating vehicles from the northern region were among the major causes of highway crashes.

BRTA Assistant Director Mahtab Uddin Ahmed said awareness campaigns involving transport owners and workers are being conducted regularly to help reduce road accidents.

Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration) Robiul Islam urged drivers to avoid speeding, reckless overtaking and driving without adequate rest.

He also called on pedestrians and motorcyclists to follow traffic rules to help reduce road fatalities.