Barishal city streets in sorry condition
Monsoon takes toll as repair work remains halted
A large number of paved roads in Barishal city are in poor shape, with the monsoon season is bringing out the worst in these.
The situation has particularly deteriorated in the last two months, as many of the roads have got submerged following rain and commuting along them have become a headache, said locals.
Most streets in the city have developed potholes, some of which become formidable-sized puddles after rain.
This correspondent found nearly 50 roads in the city -- including Bhatikhana Road, Kawnia Road, Bogura Road, Bandh Road, Lakutia Road, BM College Road and Public School Road -- in such a dilapidated condition.
Only Sadar Road, Hospital Road and Chawkbazar Road were found to be comparatively better situation.
According to Barishal City Corporation, 267km out of total 593km city roads in 30 wards are paved with bitumen. About 20-22 bituminous roads stretching around only 40km are in good condition, an official of Barishal City Corporation (BCC) admitted, seeking anonymity.
Nazrul Biswas, a resident of Taltali Road area, said, "We've been suffering due to these unrepaired roads. The situation turns horrible during the monsoon."
Rickshaw-puller Kanchan Mia said he has to struggle to pull rickshaw along waterlogged roads riddled with craters.
During rainy season, Port Road, Steamer Ghat Road, BSCIC Road, Lakutia Road, Taltali Road and Rupatoli Road often get inundated, much to dismay ot commuters.
Gobesh, Dutta, a vegetable trader of the area, said, "We have no alternative but to use roads clogged with dirt."
Shah Sajeda, convener of citizen's platform Conscious Citizen Committee, said, "We demand that BCC authorities resolve the problem immediately."
Contacted, BCC Chief Engineer Nurul Islam said the Covid-19 situation is delaying repair work. "We will fix some roads after the monsoon ends," he added.
Sources at the city corporation said authorities sent a proposal of a Tk 1,100 crore project to the LGRD ministry to mend damaged roads and construct new ones six months ago. The ministry replied two months ago with some corrections, said a BCC official, preferring anonymity
The BCC chief engineer said, "We also have a plan to start repairing the roads soon with our own revenue."