Local residents blocked Jamalpur–Tangail highway for about two and a half hours on Sunday, demanding an end to waterlogging in the town.
The blockade was staged around 11:00 am at the bypass area of the town. The protest was withdrawn around 1:30 pm after assurances from an assistant engineer of the municipality. Following this, traffic movement returned to normal.
Protesters said that due to persistent waterlogging, people in four nearby areas have been unable to cultivate around 500 acres of agricultural land for nearly 18–19 years. They have been forced to take to the streets as a last resort. Water is entering our homes and mosques, they added.
They further said that crops have been submerged and repeated appeals to the municipality and administration over the past 19 years have only resulted in assurances, with no lasting solution. They urged authorities to take immediate and effective steps to resolve the drainage problem.
Regarding the matter, Jamalpur Municipality Assistant Engineer Sohel Mia said that work to drain the water has already begun and a permanent solution to the waterlogging problem is expected soon.
Jamalpur Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mizanur Rahman said that locals blocked the road demanding resolution of waterlogging, but later withdrew the blockade after being persuaded. Traffic in the area is now normal.