The unpaved Sylhet-Companyganj-Bholaganj road, dotted with large potholes, is a nightmare for the thousands who commute on it every day. During the dry season, the road is covered in dust while the monsoon literally turns it into a mud bed.
The stretch from Dhupagul to Salutikor and Khagail to Bholaganj lies in the worst condition, locals said.
It causes vehicles to slow down, taking hours to travel a small distance. Moreover, vehicles often fall into the ditch, resulting in many severe accidents that cause suffering to locals in the area.
The road, which could take one to Sylhet in only 30-40 minutes in better conditions, now takes 2-3 hours, said a driver.
This dilapidated state has prevailed for the last eight years, but the authority concerned has yet to take any measures to ease the suffering of locals.
Ifteqar Kabir, additional chief engineer of Roads and Highways department (RHD) in Sylhet Zone said the government had allocated Tk60 crore for the construction and maintenance of the Sylhet-Companyganj-Bholaganj road this fiscal year.
According to him, the draft of the project’s outsourcing and geometric survey is complete.
Ifteqar said: “We will submit a final report within seven days to the higher authorities.”
“Calls for the project tender will be made as early as possible. After completing all processes, within four months work on the project will begin,” he said.
“The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved Tk4.41 billion for the road construction project on April 7, 2015. But the planning ministry allocated only Tk60 crore this fiscal year for the three-year long project,” he added.
As per the Development Project Proforma (DPP), the project will be implemented in two parts: A 17km road will be built on a flexible pavement at a cost of Tk2.13 billion, and a 13km rigid pavement at a cost of Tk1.78 billion.
“A 74-metre long two-span bridge with culvert, drain and earthwork will also be built under the project,” said Ifteqar, also the project director.
“To supervise the project and ensure its quality, we are hiring a consulting firm, and it will be appointed soon,” said the chief engineer.
Under the project, an Excel load station and computerised tool
plaza will be built at Bholaganj area of the road to control the heavy vehicle.
The 37-kilometre long Sylhet-Companyganj-Bholaganj road is in dire condition due to lack of maintenance and heavy usage. Under the project, a 31km road will be built and maintained.
Thursday, April 25, 2024
