Flood-damaged Lawacherra road turns risky

At least 30 points of the road passing through Lawacherra National Forest in Kamalganj upazila under the district are marked with red flags as warning signs for vehicles because the recent floods have left the road in an awful condition.

“The road with a number of potholes gets muddy and slippery during the rains, causing immense sufferings to locals as well as tourists,” Abdul Kader, a resident of Jerin area near Lawacherra road, told this correspondent during his visit to the area on Monday.

“I have come with my five-member family to visit Lawachara from Bogra. But we could hardly enjoy as the road is risky,” said Md Joynal Mia.

Several other tourists told about their ordeal due to the awful road.

“The broken roads cause damage to our vehicles, in addition to giving pain to the passengers. Sometimes small vehicles like rickshaws and CNG-run three-wheelers get overturned,” said bus driver Modoris Ali.

Abdul Malik, president of Shamshernagar Banik Kaylan Samity in Kamalganj upazila, said they have to pay double the fair for transporting goods due to the damaged road.

The problem worsens when a loaded truck gets stuck in a pothole, he added.

He urged the authorities concerned to repair the road on an urgent basis.

Mintu Rangan Debnath, executive engineer of Moulvibazar Roads and Highways Department, said, “We are repairing Lawachara road on a temporary basis. We have sought fund for a permanent solution.”