The Mahasthan-Pirgachha regional road is a death trap for locals.
This road is the only hope for the people of the agriculture-based hamlet of Lahiripara union in Sadar. But due to long-term neglect, numerous potholes have formed on most parts of the road.
Even with a little rain, these potholes fill up with water and puddles and mud. As a result, vehicle movement on the road has become risky. Local farmer Abdul Alim said that although renovation work was done in the name of development two years ago, the road has quickly deteriorated due to the use of low-quality construction materials and lack of supervision. Farmers said, “We have to pay three times more rent to take vegetables to the market.
The vehicles break down midway. Our losses are increasing day by day.” Auto rickshaw driver Shamsul Mondal said that pedestrians are also victims of the same suffering. Every day, school-going students, women and the elderly are at risk while moving on this road.
Local pedestrian media worker Golam Rabbani Shipon expressed his anger and said, “When there is a little rain, the entire road is submerged in water. It also becomes difficult to walk.
Sometimes the children’s clothes get wet while going to school. It is as if we are living a blocked life.” In this regard, Bogura Executive Engineer of the Roads and Highways Department, Abul Mansur Ahmed said, “The Mahasthan-Pirgachha road has already come to our attention. Subject to allocation, the renovation work will be started soon. We are trying to do sustainable and quality work so that the long-standing suffering of the locals is reduced.”
Locals say that this road is not only for the farmers or pedestrians of Lahiripara, but is directly linked to the economy of the entire upazila.
Therefore, unless there is a quick repair and permanent solution, agricultural production and the rural economy will be severely affected. They are demanding that quality and sustainable repair work be completed immediately with quick allocation to reduce the risk of vehicle movement due to potholes on this road, losses to farmers, and suffering of pedestrians.