The Tangail Sadar district road, that connects the most important government offices, remains in dilapidated condition—causing immense sufferings for people.
The office of the Tangail deputy commissioner, superintendent of police, Tangail court, and other important local offices are built on both sides of the road. But there are potholes at a number of points along the road which disrupt public movement and plying of vehicles.
During the rainy season, the situation gets worse and the road becomes bumpy and part of it gets waterlogged.
Very recently, authorities started repair work on a stretch of the road which is also creating sufferings for people as they have to abandon using the road and find an alternative route.
Dhaka TribuneAdditionally, the municipality’s effort to improve the drainage system along the road has left people in difficulties.
Local people say that the road authorities and the municipality did not coordinate among themselves and both started working at the same time—not allowing vehicles to pass through.
They blame a lack of planning by the authorities for their suffering.
Abdul Majeed, a rickshaw puller, said that the condition of the city's roads is worse than that of previous years.
“When it rains, the suffering becomes intense. Especially on the main roads of the city, there is knee-deep water. There is no limit to our suffering,” he complained.
Abdullah, a battery-run three-wheeler driver, said that people in the area have been suffering for a long time.
“Sometimes accidents also take place. On the other hand, autos and rickshaws are breaking down due to poor road conditions. Many passengers are unwilling to travel through the road,” he said.
Meem Akhter, a local woman, said that it is difficult to walk on the city streets— where even drivers of rickshaws and auto rickshaws do not want to make a trip. This is all because of the dilapidated condition.
“Passengers are forced to pay double when travelling through these roads,” she added.
When asked, Tangail Municipality Mayor SM Sirajul Haque Alamgir said that the repair work of the new drainage system from Niralamor to the district sadar has started.
“Due to eviction of illegal structures, there has been some complication in our repair work. But if there is no obstruction, the road will be free from waterlogging in the shortest possible time,” he said.
Tenders have already been floated for three projects involving Tk14 crore for repair, drain renovation, and installation of street lights, the official said.
“Once completed, they (the projects) will turn the road into a modern one,” he said.