Road makes life difficult for Barisal residents

The 30km Taltoli-Fakirbari road which connects four upazilas to Barisal city has remained dilapidated for two years, causing immense sufferings to hundreds.

To visit Sadar, Hijla, Mehendiganj and Muladi upazilas in the district, around 50,000 people use the road of which condition for three kilometres got worse.

Locals expressed their anger at the inaction by the authorities concerned to repair it.

When asked whether any step was taken in the last two years, Mohammad Moklesur Rahman, 65, a freedom fighter living in the city's Taltoli, replied, “Not yet.”

Similar statement came from many other residents in the area, including Ariful Islam and Jabber Mia.

Due to downpour, waterlogging and a lack of proper maintenance, numerous cracks and potholes developed on that portion of the busy road, they said.

The road is showing its brick soling layer as the bituminous surface is getting off, said Akbar Mia, a bus driver on the route.

The cost of carrying goods has increased as the farmers and traders have to choose rickshaw-vans instead of motor vehicles which are mostly avoiding the road.

The vehicles sometimes have to move slowly and take much time to reach their respective destinations.

Nazrul Islam, a vegetable trader living in Sayestabad, said the rickshaw-van pullers now charge Tk 180 to Tk 200 where it was between Tk 80 and Tk 100 a year ago for a 6km journey from Taltoli to Sayestabad.

Arif Ahamed Munna, chairman of Sayestabad Union Parishad, said they informed the sadar upazila chairman of the road condition through a letter one year ago.

Chairman Saidur Rahaman Rintu said they had submitted the proposal to the Roads and Highways Department.

Khaled Shams, executive engineer of RHD in Barisal, said he visited the road on January 15, adding that they will offer tender in this regard within two months.