Awful road awaits renovation
A 20-km-long portion of Moulvibazar-Chatlapur regional highway in Kamalganj upazila lies in awful state due to alleged negligence in the repair and maintenance work of the road, causing immense sufferings to commuters.
In 2015, the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) floated a tender for repairing the 34-km-long highway connecting Chatlapur Land Port to Moulvibazar town.
Four years after renovation, the 20-km-long portion of the highway stretching from Moulvibazar to Shamshernagar has become unfit for traffic movement as numerous cracks and potholes have developed on the road, said locals.
Traders and importers also have to count additional cost to transport goods to and from the land port as drivers take more time to cross the dilapidated road.
During a visit, this correspondent found that a number of potholes and cracks have developed on the road, making it troublesome and risky for commuters.
Especially school children and patients are worst sufferers.
Rahman Liton, a resident of Patanushar area in the upazila, said despite repeated pleas, the authorities concerned are yet to take any initiative to renovate the road.
Nurul Mohaimen Milton, general secretary of Environment Journalists’ Forum, said the highway is very important road for smooth communication between various public service institutions in Moulvibazar town.
The institutions include the district passport office, Moulvibazar Polytechnic Institute, Comilla Eye Hospital and the deputy commissioner’s office. Commuters to and from the institutions use the road on a regular basis.
The dilapidated road has also had a direct and negative impact on the district’s tourism revenue, said Milton.
Ratan Dey, a CNG-run auto-rickshaw driver, said the road has now become virtually a death trap.
Especially patients face more trouble while crossing the road, he said.
Monir Mia, an importer at the land port, said foreign buyers are suffering a lot while crossing the awful road.
Mizanur Rahman, a trader of Chatlapur area, said they have to use the road every day to carry plastic doors to the land port.
But due to dilapidated condition of the road, it takes three hours to reach the spot while earlier they spent 30 minutes to reach there, said Mizanur.
Moulvibazar RHD Executive Engineer Shariful Alam said a tender for repairing the road is awaiting the approval from the authorities concerned.
The repair work of the road will start following approval of the tender, said the engineer.
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