Road users across Bangladesh are facing long delays and unsafe travel because about 25,500 kilometres of highways and roads now need repairs, officials and drivers say. The number includes more than 24,000 kilometres under the Local Government Engineering Department that are in poor to bad condition and about 1,500 kilometres under the Roads and Highways Department that also need work. Passenger groups, bus owners and people who travel daily report heavy traffic, deep potholes and long journey times, especially on routes such as Dhaka–Sylhet, Jashore–Khulna, Bhanga and Rangpur, where trips that used to take a few hours now can take much longer. Officials blame limited maintenance budgets and a shorter repair season because rains now last longer, and they warn that road damage harms daily life, public safety and business. The Local Government Engineering Department looks after hundreds of thousands of kilometres of smaller and rural roads, and many of those need resurfacing, overlays or full rebuilding. Engineers say some stretches need major reconstruction, others need new surface layers, and a number need simple resealing to stop small problems from growing worse. Drivers say deep potholes can cause injury and raise fuel costs because vehicles slow or stop, and transport groups have asked the ministry to send urgent letters asking for emergency repairs. Officials also pointed to stalled projects and complex loans or lines of credit that have slowed upgrades on major highways, and they want clear plans to use available funds more quickly and safely. Experts suggest practical steps that can help in the near term, such as mapping the worst sections, staging repairs by highest use, offering short training for local crews, and using low-cost fixes that extend life while bigger projects are planned. Local leaders also propose better communication with road users to reduce accidents and losses during repair work. Repair teams say that with better budgets, careful scheduling to avoid the rainy months and community cooperation, roads can be made safer faster. Repair work can also create local jobs and keep markets moving, so investing in fixes returns value to towns and small businesses. While full rebuilding of many stretches will take time and steady funds, small, targeted repairs and clearer maintenance plans can cut delays and protect lives now. People who travel daily say they want quick, visible action and regular upkeep so journeys are safer and travel costs fall. The current attention to the problem may help push faster repair plans, better budgeting and more local involvement so Bangladesh’s road network becomes stronger and more reliable for everyone. Citizens and officials say steady small repairs, clearer budgets and regular inspections can restore many roads, improve trade and make daily life easier for millions.
