Dilapidated for 11 years
About 5.5 kilometres of Sonadanga-Mujgunni highway, one of the busiest roads in Khulna city, is increasingly becoming unusable for commuters, as it has remained unrepaired for the last 11 years.
According to Khulna City Corporation (KCC), the last renovation of the road took place back in 2012.
The part of the road that runs through Sonadanga bus stand to Notunrasta intersection boasts numerous small and big ditches, around 120. The situation has become so bad that even pedestrians dare not walk on it.
In monsoon, it becomes filthy with mud, and in dry season, it is too dusty for commute.
The area's residents alleged that rather than taking solid measures, KCC sometimes piles bricks into the holes, while locals also throw bricks and sand into them.
But all these temporary measures don't bring lasting convenience, they added.
The worst condition of the road, to the point that buses and trucks avoid it, is from Boyra Bazar to Notunrasta intersection. But it's a massive headache for ambulances that are often forced to navigate the path to carry patients to Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH) and Abu Naser Specialised Hospital, both of which are beside that road.
After talking to locals, it was learned that along with KMCH and several private hospitals, Indian Visa Center, and many more important offices are situated beside the road. Apart from this, most people from the western part of the city, including Khalishpur and Daulatpur, use the road to enter the city.
From Boyra Bazar to Notun Rasta there's also many small and big holes disrupting vehicle movement. Two big holes were developed in front of Mujjunni park and one is in front of Sheikh Abu Naser Specialised Hospital. All the vehicles were forced to move slowly and cautiously, zigzagging along the potholes. In many places, the bricks to fill up the holes are broken, which is making driving even more difficult.
Abu Hana Kamal, a local businessman, said the road's situation has been like this for almost a decade.
Saha Sanjib, an easy-bike driver of Karim Nagar, said, "I seldom use the road to avoid unwanted accidents."
Contacted, Mashiuzzaman Khan, superintendent engineer of KCC, said the road is prone to getting damaged quickly due to lack of a good drainage system. He said they've started repair work on at two parts of the road from this year.
On January 20, KCC gave work order to two contractors and the work was supposed to be finished within 6 months.
One portion -- 2.75 km from Sonadanga Bus terminal to Boyra Bazar -- is being renovated spending Tk 9.50 crore while the other -- 2.5 km from Boyra Bazar to Notun Rasta -- at Tk 10.68 crore.
Asked about the delay, the official said they are also repairing the drains beside the road, which is why it's taking a bit longer to finish the work.
"Once the work is finished, it will reduce people's sufferings," he added.
Comments