The public suffering caused by the 110km-long tailback on Chittagong-Dhaka highway, which continued on to its fifth consecutive day as of Sunday, beggars description. The intolerable gridlock was a result of a portion of the four-lane highway being shut down due to ongoing construction of a railway overpass at Fatehpur in Feni. Exacerbating the congestion was the fact that the other side of the highway in the area was already choked due to rain and vehicles.

Firstly, that something like this can happen in the busiest highway, the economic lifeline of the country, speaks of the gross mismanagement of authorities. Secondly, given the fact that more than 80 percent of vehicles carrying goods for export and import go through this highway, the never-ending gridlock has put many businesses in a tough spot. Thirdly, the whole episode goes to show the callous disregard for public suffering of the authorities as people were not made aware of likely disruption of traffic in the pre-construction phase and no alternative routes for them had been designated either. And finally, that the project still remains unfinished—even six years after the work of the railway overpass was first awarded to a construction firm—is symptomatic of the inefficiency in execution of public works. Who will answer for the inordinate time and cost overrun?

The assurance of the minister of road transport and bridges that the situation will improve is not enough. The ministry and the police should work in coordination and address the abovementioned issues in order to alleviate public suffering. Construction should be sped up and alternative routes designated. Most importantly, it ought to be ensured that such incidents do not recur in the future, and for that any construction or repair work must begin with good planning.