“I Beg for a Road” — Emotional Appeal by MP Hasnath Abdullah in Parliament Over Deadly Accidents

An emotional speech in Bangladesh’s parliament has drawn attention to growing concerns over road safety, as lawmaker Hasnath Abdullah called for urgent expansion of a key highway in his constituency following a series of fatal accidents.

Speaking on a point of order on Wednesday, the National Citizens’ Party (NCP) MP from Cumilla-4 expressed deep frustration over the deteriorating condition of the Cumilla–Sylhet connecting road, particularly in Debidwar upazila.

“I stand here to beg for a road,” Abdullah said, appealing directly to parliament to prioritise the expansion of the route in order to save lives.

He explained that the road, which is only about 18 feet wide, carries a heavy volume of traffic every day, making it highly prone to accidents. He described the situation as a “procession of death,” claiming that lives are being lost regularly due to the narrow and unsafe conditions.

The MP noted that the road serves as a crucial link between Chattogram and Sylhet, and is a primary route for hundreds of thousands of residents in Debidwar, Brahmanpara, and Burichang upazilas. Despite its importance, he said, development work has been stalled for more than a decade due to administrative complications.

Highlighting the urgency of the issue, Abdullah told parliament that just moments before his speech, three people had died in a road accident in his constituency. He also claimed that at least 23 people had lost their lives on the same road within the current month alone.

He said such repeated incidents have placed him in a difficult position in front of his constituents, as demands for safety improvements continue to grow.

Calling for immediate action, Abdullah urged the relevant authorities to take swift and effective steps to widen the road. He argued that completing this single project could significantly reduce fatalities and ease long-standing suffering for local residents.

In response, Deputy Speaker Kaysar Kamal advised the MP to formally submit the issue as a notice under parliamentary rules so that it can be addressed through proper procedures.

The remarks have since sparked discussion among political observers and the public, raising renewed concerns over delays in infrastructure development and the urgent need to improve road safety across the country.

Source: Channel 24