A number of important roads under Gazipur’s Sreepur municipality are in desperate need of repair. They have become impossible to negotiate and thus are causing major sufferings to local commuters and businesses alike.
Once paved with asphalt, the Kewa-Tepirbari, Secretary Gate-Aspada Junction, and C&B-Channapara, among other busy roads, have now turned into muddy terrain and riddled with potholes that are mostly avoided if possible.
Commuters’ ordeals began ever since the municipality authorities left the roads in disrepair after slicing them open to install underground sewage lines for a proper disposal of industrial waste.
Meanwhile, the two kilometres of road from Kewa Bazar to Tepirbari, which is under the jurisdiction of the Sreepur municipality, have not been renovated even once in the last eight years.
As a result, the road is getting narrower by the day due to unplanned constructions that are occupying sidewalks on both sides of the road.
Besides, the lack of a drainage system for nearby residential buildings is resulting in household waste water accumulating on the road.
Similarly, the 1.5km portion of the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway from Kewa Secretary Gate to Aspada junction has remained impassable ever since the underground sewage pipes were installed.
Frustrated by the everyday commute hassles, locals demand the roads be renovated as soon as possible.
Imran Hossain, a grocer at Aspada Junction in Sreepur, said: “Business is bad. I cannot even earn the amount I pay rent for my shop every month. I’m losing customers, thanks to the sorry state of the road.”
Nayeem Hossain, another small trader in the area, said: “The much-important road is usually avoided because of the poor state of it. When it rains, my shop gets flooded. My sales have plummeted in recent days.”
Fakhrul Islam, a resident of Sreepur Municipality’s Ward 5, said: “Although one of the main roads of Sreepur Municipality is freedom fighter Haris Uddin Ahmed Road, in the rainy season, pedestrians cannot use this road let alone any vehicle. There are at least eight factories in the area and so aside from the locals, the workers and employees of these factories are suffering a lot.”
Speaking on the issue, Sreepur Municipality Executive Engineer Tabibur Rahman said tenders had been called for the renovation of three roads, which include the road from Secretary Gate to Aspada Junction. “Construction work will begin within the next month.”
Meanwhile, Sreepur Municipality Mayor Anisur Rahman said: “All development projects had to be put on hold during the Covid lockdown. However, renovation work has recently begun and the remaining work will be completed in the current financial year.”
