Regular tailback in Shahzadpur a nuisance for commuters
Traffic congestion during the ongoing construction work causes sufferings to commuters in BSCIC bus stand area of Bogura-Nagarbari highway in Sirajganj's Shahzadpur upazila.
Md Saidul Islam, a private firm employee, boarded a Sirajganj-bound bus recently from Pabna bus stand to go to his sister's house in Sirajganj town, 130 km away.
He had planned to return the same day but could not as it took much longer than expected time to reach the destination.
Traffic jam on Bogura-Nagarbari highway is a regular scene in BSCIC bus stand area because of repair work there during the last couple of months, said locals and transport workers.
"Vehicles have to move slowly here as only a single lane is used during the ongoing construction work. Besides, muddy potholes at a little distance from the area make vehicular movement tough," Md Faruk Hossain, a bus driver of Dhaka-Pabna coach told The Daily Star.
Talking with this correspondent, Md Ashraful Islam, executive engineer of Sirajganj Roads and Highways Department (RHD), said the 500-metre portion of the highway in the BSCIC bus stand area is being reconstructed with heavy concrete of one-foot thickness.
"The RHD has started a Tk 15-crore repair work in Bogura-Nagarbari highway, of it Tk 2.5 crore is to be spent for reconstruction of the 500-metre portion," he said.
The transport workers and passengers have alleged that delay in construction work causes problem for vehicular movement on the busy highway.
Asked about the matter, Ashraful Islam said, "This is not a normal carpeting work repairing. As it is a vulnerable spot of the highway, we have taken step to reconstruct the portion with heavy concrete, which requires time."
"The work order was issued in May this year but the work began in mid-June due to the lockdown. We are trying to complete the work as soon as possible," he added.
Comments