Patuakhali roads in dire straits

Most of the roads in Patuakhali municipality have remained in awfully bad condition and became unfit for use due to lack of renovation work, much to the sufferings of the townspeople.

People living in the municipality area have been facing immense suffering while moving from one place to another as hundreds of potholes have developed on the important roads.

The most damaged roads in the town include, 1.7 km Government Women College to Donaban School Road, 1.1 km Gymnasium Road, 3 km Titas Cinema Hall to DC Bungalow via Polytechnic Institute Road, 2.5 km New Market to Patuakhali General Hospital Road, 1.5 km Fire Service to Fotiker Kheyaghat to Sonali Bank Road, 2 km Sonali Bank to Kalatala Bazar via LGED Office to New Jail Road, 2.5 km Donaban School to Jainkathi Ararpul Road, 2 km Donaban School to Ishaq Model College and Old Bus Stand to DC Office via SP Office.

Of the roads, condition of College Road is the worst as the contractor concerned has dug many places since its repair work was started about two months ago.

Due to the repair work, the road became muddy and even light vehicles like rickshaw and battery-run auto-rickshaw cannot ply the road, local people said.

Mizanur Rahman, a resident of Muslimpara area in the town, said they have been suffering a lot as many important roads in the municipality have become unfit for use and badly need repair.

Rasel of the area said schoolgoing children are the worst sufferers as they cannot avoid getting dirty while using the muddy and slippery roads in the town.

Although, the municipality authorities have taken steps to repair some of the roads, the repair work was going at a snail's pace.

Meanwhile, the renovation work of Government Women College to Donaban Road, started nearly two months ago at a cost of Tk 4.50 crore, hasn't been completed yet.

Contractor Abdul Jabbar Mridha said they were trying their best to complete the work in time but could not do so due to untimely and heavy rainfall.

“We have started repair works of some of the important roads in the municipality at a cost of nearly Tk 24 crore,” Executive Engineer Abdul Halim of Patuakhali municipality said, adding that they asked all contractors concerned to complete the works as soon as possible.