Khulna-Satkhira Regional Highway: Renovated in 2020, deteriorated by 2023
Dilapidated, riddled with potholes, and patches of deteriorated bitumen -- such is the situation of Khulna-Satkhira regional highway.
Repaired in 2020 spending Tk 160 crore, the road was damaged significantly within just the next three years, with the 33km Khulna section of this 64km road being the most defaced.
The status quo has sparked public outrage as locals and project insiders allege the use of substandard materials during its construction.
Meanwhile, the Roads and Highways Department blamed the frequent plying of heavy vehicles, mostly stone-laden trucks from Bhomra Land Port in Satkhira who use this road to enter the capital, for the road's miserable state.
The renovation work of the road's Khulna section began in 2018, covering the stretch from Khulna city's zero point to Atharo Mile in Dumuria upazila.
The project was completed in June 2020, and was among the 100 roads and highways, spanning across 50 districts, inaugurated by the prime minister on December 21 of the following year.
According to Khulna RHD, the road's width was expanded from 18 to 36 feet under the project. Additionally, eight culverts, drainage systems in market areas, and strategically placed bus stops were also constructed under this project.
Visiting various areas along the road, including Koiya Bazar, Gutudia, Dumuria, Kharnia, Chuknagar, and Atharo Mile, it was evident that the condition of the road has significantly deteriorated.
The bitumen (a black, viscous mixture of hydrocarbons used for road surfacing) rutted in some places, creating small holes on the surface.
"The bitumen began to deteriorate within a year of renovation, leading to frequent accidents. Such poor work quality is disappointing," said Nittananda Mondal, a resident of Dumuria's Bandha village.
The uneven road surface makes it difficult for drivers to maintain control over their vehicles, said Biprodas Bairagi, a rickshaw van-puller of Batiaghata upazila's Chaksailmari area, who uses the road to transport goods to Gallamary.
"Speeding buses and goods-laden trucks multiply the risks," he added.
The uneven surface causes the vehicles to sway in a wave-like motion, which leads to loss of control over the steering, mentioned Tahidur Rahman, driver of a bus that has been plying the Khulna-Satkhira route for over 20 years.
"I had to face five accidents on this road over the last couple of years [due to the above-stated problems]," he added.
The road's maximum weight capacity is 22.5 tonnes, yet trucks transporting goods from Bhomra Land Port to Dhaka exceed a staggering weight of 50 tonnes, said Anisuzzaman Masud, executive engineer of Khulna RHD.
Alongside overloading, the traffic surge following the inauguration of Padma Bridge has worsened the road condition, he opined.
When asked about the use of substandard materials during construction, he said, "It might have happened at some places."
"The road will soon be upgraded into a national highway. A project has already been approved, and work will commence as per the authorities' directives," he added.
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