At least 40kilometre stretch of Dhaka-Chittagong highway in Mirsarai upazila is in tattered condition due to the incessant rain of the last few days.
A number of small and large potholes created on this major highway, which is being upgraded to a four-lane one, have been causing immense sufferings to the commuters, who fear that the situation would get worse during the up coming Eid.
Being the only road connectivity between the north and south regions of the country, the road is used by hundreds of passengers everyday. As such the dilapidated condition coupled with the ongoing four-lane work has been causing huge tailback.
The continuous downpour in the last few days have caused further damage by deepening the potholes and inundating the roads. With rain water concealing the damage, vehicles and people are often falling victim to accidents and injuries.
A recent visit to the site had found that he stretch from Dhumghat Bridge to Borodarogar Haat area is dotted with potholes, especially the roads in Mostan Nagar, Mithachhora Bypass, Noyduyariya, Hadifokirhaat, Nizampur University, Borokomoldoho and Borodarogar Haat are in worse condition.
Vehicles are having to go slow taking hours to cross the road. Sometimes they breakdown bringing the traffic to a standstill.
Officer in-Charge of Mirsarai police station Imtiaz MK Bhuiyan said the contractors in charge of completing the four-lane work had been dilly-dallying.
“The road in front of my station is totally unusable. We are facing trouble to carry out our duty. But the authority concerned seems to be nonchalant.”
Passenger of Unique bus service Nurul Alam said it would usually take one and half hour to cross Mirsarai from Chittagong. But due to the road’s condition it took him three hours.
Zulfikar Ali, project manager of Dhaka-Chittagong four-lane work, said the situation deteriorated due to the recent heavy downpour.
“As soon as the rain ceases, we will repair the road without any delay. Hopefully there will be no trouble for the home-goers during the Eid,” he said.