185 killed in 135 accidents during Eid journeys: Nirapad Sarak Chai

As many as 185 people were killed and 355 wounded in 135 accidents across the country during the Eid journeys, said a report by Nirapad Sarak Chai (Nischa).

Among these, 180 were killed and 344 wounded in 130 road accidents alone.

The report was presented at a press conference of Nischa at the Maulana Akram Khan Hall of National Press Club on Saturday.

Nischa observed the holidaymakers had to suffer a lot during Eid-ul-Azha this year.

It also said people from the northern region suffered the most as the transports bound for the region were stuck on the roads for long.

Road accidents increased along the Khulna and Jashore region too, Nischa added.

There was hardly any traffic congestion at the districts on the eastern part of the country as three bridges along the Dhaka-Chattogram route were opened, it further stated.

Nischa said holidaymakers had to face problems in collecting train tickets due to black marketing and technical problems to buy tickets online. It added railway passengers also suffered a lot due to the disruption in the train schedule.

Nischa observes journeys on the waterways were more comfortable.

Road accidents scenario have turned alarming, said Nischa advisor Aiyubur Rahman who was a former chairman of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA).

He pointed out that that the road management was monitored prior to the Eid, but it was not followed up after the occasion.

Former BRTA chairman said the drivers turned reckless in absence of monitoring. He also lamented the plying of unfit vehicles.

Nischa identified that the reckless driving is the main reason behind the road accidents.

Nischa surveyed national dailies, online news portals, news agencies and TV reports between 10 and 18 August for preparing the report.