A dusty, bumpy ride on 18km of highway
Thousands of travellers of Barishal-Khulna and Barishal-Patharghata (Barguna) routes have been suffering immensely for the last three months due to the twin problem of dust and bad road conditions.
Journeys on the routes have not only been a nightmare, but commuters have been exposed to the risks of respiratory diseases. Residents living on both sides of the road have also been affected, students of schools, colleges and madrasas being among the worst victims.
The suffering began one year ago, in December 2017, when the 18km Baroibari-Battala road from in Rajapur upazila (Jhalakathi) was dismantled for reconstruction. This 18km constitutes a part of both Barishal-Khulna and Barishal-Patharghata routes.
After the dismantling, motorists had to start negotiating the rough surface of the road, a thick layer of which was completely removed to make way for reconstruction. Things got worse with the approach of the dry season three months ago. Vehicles plying the road every day produces a tremendous amount of dust, which has become a public health concern.
Dr Abul Khayer Mohammod Rasel, resident medical officer of Rajapur Upazila Health Complex, said, “Continuous inhaling of dusty air elevates the risks of getting respiratory diseases. Hundreds of people living along the road will be affected if they remain exposed to dust for a long period.”
Abduds Sattar, a shopkeeper in Rajapur Government College Road area, said, “I have already been affected, and am suffering from breathing problems. I wear a mask for as long as I stay at the shop, but it doesn't work.”
“Most of the time I keep my shop shut because of dust,” added another shop owner, Kamal Hossain.
Regular commute of students has been hampered due to the road conditions.
“I used to go to college by bicycle but now I can't due to heavy dust and the rough road surface,” said Helal Uddin, a 12th grader of Rajapur Government College.
Motorcyclists who transport people have seen a drastic decline in their earnings.
“We would get a good number of passengers every day. Due to dust, people now avoid motorbikes. Often many of us can't earn a single penny in a day,” said Barkot Hossain, a motorbike rider in Rajapur Bagri Bazar area.
The condition on the road has created another danger: low visibility.
Khokon, a car driver who often travels on the road, said, “Whenever a bus or truck overtakes or crosses, they leave a trail of dust. We can't see anything even a short distance away. Either we have to stop there or risk having an accident.”
Meanwhile, it is unlikely that people would get relief from sufferings anytime soon.
Khondokar Golam Mostofa, executive engineer of Roads and Highway Department (RHD) of Jhalakathi, said, “The roads cannot be kept in this condition for a long time. The contractor must maintain everything so that commuters don't have to suffer.”
When asked, contractor Nayem Hossain said, “We've increased the frequency of spraying water and are trying to finish the work as soon as possible although we have one more year to complete it.”
He also said, “We are facing an acute crisis of bitumen and stones, which affects the pace of the work.”
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