Flood-ravaged Gaibandha road yet to be repaired

A large section of the approach road to Anantapur bridge in Saghata upazila of the district has not been repaired since it was washed away by surging water during the last flood.

Communication through the road, as well as transportation of goods and essential commodities to the markets, has remained suspended for the people of six villages. The road connects Bonarpara Railway Station with the upazila headquarters.

During the last flood, surging water washed away a 30-foot long stretch of the approach road and created a large ditch.

“I cannot cross the breached road, so my daily earning has come down and I cannot maintain my family,” said Rafiqul Mia, a rickshaw-van puller.

It has become difficult to carry agriculture products to market and the people have to travel a long way for selling and procuring agriculture products and essential items, said farmer Amjad Hossain.

The relief and disaster management ministry constructed Anantapur bridge at a cost of Tk 22 lakh over the canal in the last fiscal year. Just after completion of the bridge, floodwater engulfed the area and the approach road on the western side collapsed.

Kachua Union Parishad Chairman Mahbubur Rahman said he has been instructed to do earth filling of the broken section of the approach road.

Upazila Project Implementation Officer Mithun Kundu said the chairman concerned was asked to start the work of the broken part of the road.