On Sunday morning, residents and professionals from various sectors staged demonstrations along the Chattogram–Cox’s Bazar highway, demanding its expansion from two lanes to six. The protest caused severe traffic congestion and disrupted travel for tourists and commuters along one of Bangladesh’s busiest coastal routes.
The blockade began at 9:00 am in the Lohagara–Satkania area and at 10:00 am in Chakaria, affecting multiple points along the highway. Local residents explained that the two-lane road is constantly overcrowded, and its narrow width frequently contributes to accidents. At around 9:30 am near Amirabad Station, a large crowd gathered with banners and placards urging authorities to expedite the six-lane expansion.
Officials from the Upazila administration intervened to manage the situation. Lohagara UNO Md Saiful Islam reported that the blockade in his area was lifted at noon after demonstrators received assurances from the administration. Similarly, Satkania UNO Khondkar Mahmudul Hasan said protesters withdrew from Keranihat once they were informed that official procedures for the highway’s expansion were progressing and that tendering processes were pending.
In Chakaria, a large group of demonstrators gathered near the Matamuhuri Bridge from 10:00 am but stepped aside by 12:45 pm following discussions with local officials. UNO Mohammad Atikur Rahman assured the crowd that feasibility studies for the six-lane expansion had been completed and that work on preparing the Development Project Proposal (DPP) was underway.
A summary of the protest details is provided below:
| Location | Start Time | End Time | Reason for Protest | Official Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lohagara–Satkania | 9:00 am | 12:00 pm | Demand for six-lane highway | Blockade lifted after administrative assurances |
| Amirabad Station | 9:30 am | 12:00 pm | Road safety and traffic congestion | Protest dispersed after officials confirmed expansion procedures |
| Chakaria, Matamuhuri Bridge | 10:00 am | 12:45 pm | Highway expansion demand | Protesters withdrew after feasibility studies and DPP update |
The demonstrations reflect long-standing concerns among local communities and transport users about traffic safety and the capacity of the two-lane highway. Authorities have assured that the highway expansion project is moving forward, with feasibility studies completed and formal planning in progress, aiming to enhance both safety and traffic flow in the region.