A chemical trader was killed in a road accident after his motorcycle lost control while attempting to cross an elevated dredger pipe laid over a road in Kishoreganj’s Kuliarchar upazila, highlighting growing concerns over hazardous road obstructions caused by unregulated dredging activities.
The deceased was identified as Md Sohel Rana, 35, son of Siraj Mia from Panaullaharchar village in Shibpur ইউনিয়ন under Bhairab upazila. He was involved in the chemical business and regularly travelled between different districts for work.
According to police and local residents, the accident occurred at around 9:00 pm on Saturday night in the Barkhar Char area of Kuliarchar. Sohel Rana had reportedly travelled to Bajitpur earlier in the evening on business. After completing his work, he began his return journey home on a motorcycle.
While passing through the accident-prone stretch of road in Barkhar Char, he encountered a dredger pipe positioned across the roadway. Locals said soil had been piled over the pipe to create a makeshift elevated crossing, allowing vehicles to pass over it. However, the raised surface was uneven and poorly visible at night.
Witnesses stated that as Sohel attempted to cross the elevated section, he lost control of his motorcycle and was thrown from the vehicle. He then collided violently with a roadside tree, sustaining critical injuries.
Residents rushed him to receive treatment, but he died at approximately 10:00 pm while being transported to Dhaka for advanced medical care.
Accident Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Victim | Md Sohel Rana (35) |
| Profession | Chemical trader |
| Location | Barkhar Char, Kuliarchar, Kishoreganj |
| Time of accident | Around 9:00 pm, Saturday |
| Cause | Motorcycle lost control while crossing elevated dredger pipe |
| Time of death | Around 10:00 pm while en route to Dhaka |
Local residents alleged that dredger pipes have been installed over roads at multiple points across Kuliarchar, creating dangerous raised sections that are especially risky for motorcyclists and other small vehicles after dark.
They claimed that minor and major accidents have occurred repeatedly in recent months, but no effective administrative measures have been taken to remove the pipelines or ensure safer crossings. Residents further accused dredger owners of prioritising operations over public safety, despite repeated complaints.
Officer-in-Charge of Kuliarchar Police Station, Kazi Arif Uddin, confirmed the incident, saying that a man had died after being thrown from his motorcycle.
The latest fatality has renewed calls for local authorities to remove hazardous pipelines from public roads and enforce stricter regulations on dredging operations to prevent further loss of life.
