Vendors selling vegetables, fish, and fruits are set up along a section of the highway and on the pedestrian paths. Even though there’s a risk of accidents, customers are buying everyday necessities while standing on the highway. Alongside the fresh market, various forms of transport, from three-wheelers to larger vehicles, are picking up passengers. As a result, long-distance buses and other vehicles have to move slowly, which often leads to accidents and traffic jams.

This scene is a daily occurrence in the Suwagazi area of Comilla’s South Dasherhat on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway. According to several local sources, this temporary market has no official approval. The presence of the market makes it difficult for pedestrians to walk, causing issues with using the overhead bridge designed for pedestrians. Local shopper Shafiqul Alam mentions that stalls pop up almost every day, and both local farmers and those from various areas come to this market. Moreover, many long-distance vehicles traveling towards Dhaka and Chittagong use this highway, making it tough to walk freely. Setting up a market on the highway could lead to a serious accident at any time. The relevant authorities need to take action for a permanent solution.

This reporter from Daily Ajker Comilla spoke with multiple pedestrians, including Imran and Tofazzal, who said that the presence of shops alongside the highway and the random stopping of vehicles to pick up passengers are causing traffic jams. This makes it difficult for us and other pedestrians to move around, but what can we do? A microbus driver from Suwagazi, wishing to remain anonymous, stated that because of the vegetable and fish vendors, the highway has become quite narrow. After a little while, buses from Madina, Bijli Super, and others stop there, which is why there is such traffic congestion. Removing these shops from the roadside would resolve all the issues. When trying to talk to several vegetable and fish sellers about this matter, none were willing to comment.

Regarding this matter, the general secretary of the market committee, Shahadat Ali, said that we are not involved in the market that has been set up on one side of the highway and in the pedestrian path. We want this encroachment to be removed. Our market committee will provide maximum cooperation regarding the removal of the encroachment.

The executive officer of South Sadar Upazila, Rubaiya Khanum, stated that there is no permission from the upazila administration for the illegal market that is being set up in the Suaganj area of the highway, and due to legal complications, the government does not receive any revenue from this market. We will conduct a drive in coordination with the Department of Roads and Highways regarding the removal.