To stop the march of death on the road, a rally has been held with three-point demands including upgrading the Bhanga-Barisal-Patuakhali highway to six lanes, construction of parking stands, renovation of canals to alleviate waterlogging, and restoration. On the initiative of Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Basad), this rally was held today at 11 am at Ashwinikumar Hall premises on Sadar Road.

Manisha Chakraborty, member secretary of Barisal district branch of BUS, presided over the gathering. Dulal Mallik, member of Barisal district branch of BAS and President of Barisal Rickshaw-Van Driver-Labor Union, Santu Mitra, member of district branch, Manik Howladar, general secretary of Samajtantrik Sramik Front, Barisal district branch, joint secretary Shahidul Islam, member Shahidul Islam, Barisal Rickshaw-Van, spoke. Mokchedur Rahman, President of the Chaul-Sramik Union Ward No. 28 Branch, Ayub Ali General Secretary of the Battery Powered Rickshaw-Van-Easybike Sangram Parishad Ward No. 28 Branch, Samajtantrik Chhatra Front Barisal Metropolitan Branch Publicity and Publication Secretary Bijan Shikder and others.

Speakers in the rally said that at least 25 people have died in 15 road accidents on Barisal’s highway in a month since Padma Bridge was inaugurated. Experts have opined that Barisal’s unwided highway and narrow two-lane road are responsible for these accidents. However, it is known through newspaper reports that in 2018, Barisal’s highway widening project has been passed. But till date he has not made any progress.

Pointing out that the traffic pressure has increased after the Padma Bridge was opened, the speakers said that the highway from Bhanga in Faridpur to Kuakata via Barisal is still 24 feet. Due to this narrow road, accidents and loss of life are increasing recently. For this reason, if the highway in this part is not upgraded to six lanes, the march of death will not stop.

Speakers in the rally also said that since 23 canals of Barisal city have not been restored and re-excavated for a long time, waterlogging is increasing in the city and the environment of the city is being destroyed. Bisik Area of ​​Nagar, Zia Road, Fakir Bari, Rupatali Housing, Gas Turbine, Muktijodha Road, Gauchia Road, Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Campus, College Road, Gorasthan Road, Oxford Mission Road, Nathullabad Khalpar Road, Kaunia Housing, Moylakhola, The roads in many important areas including Soap Factory Road, Baptist Mission Road, New Circular Road, Puranpara, Tiakhali, Kashipur Chatha, Hatkhola to Kudghata in Barujya are full of potholes due to lack of repair. City Corporation should take initiative to repair dilapidated roads and drains in Barisal, reduce holding tax and construct parking stands for battery powered vehicles.

At the end of the rally, the leaders and workers of the buses took a protest march in favor of the demand and circled the important roads of the city. At the end of the procession, they gave a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of Barisal and the Mayor of Barisal City Corporation.