One of the main thoroughfares connecting the Sundarbans with Bagerhat, the Signboard-Bogi regional highway has become a death-trap due to its poor condition.
At least 40km stretch of the 50km highway is dotted with small and large potholes making it risky for vehicles and commuters. During the monsoon, the potholes, camouflaged by stagnant water, can cause fatal accidents.
A recent visit to the highway found several broken down trucks bound for Morelganj-Shoronkhola from Chittagong and Dhaka lying on the sides. The drivers said their vehicles suffered engine failures due to the bad condition of the road.
According to the Roads and Highways Department (RHD), Tk90 crore was allocated in 2010 to upgrade the road to a regional highway. The work finally began in 2013 with an increased cost of Tk123.47 lakh.
However, there has been very little progress till now. Only 28 culverts and 3 small bridges were built. A case filed by the RHD halted the work and made the construction company pay Tk1.53 crore as compensation.
More than 600,000 people of three upazilas of the district use this highway amid great risk.
Rafiqul Islam, a resident of Morelganj, said it took 2-3 hours to cross only 40km. “Sometimes we have to walk a good length as the ride is too bumpy. After the cyclone Sidr, we demanded to repair the road but it has not been materialised yet.”
President of Bagerhat Inter-district Motor Workers’ Union, Talukdar A Baki, said: “Our vehicles and passengers are always in great risk of accidents because of the road. During monsoon it becomes even more dangerous and we really do not want to use that highway.”
When contacted, Executive Engineer of Bagerhat Roads and Highways Department Dewan Abul Kashem Mohammad Nahin Reza said the upgrade work of the highway was disrupted by the court case.
“We fined the contractors for not doing the work properly. We have floated fresh tenders and have already awarded the contract to two companies this year. The construction work will begin soon,” he said.
