The New Nation - Internet Edition

Our Correspondent, Lalmonirhat

The condition of most of the roads in the district has become deplorable due to the recent flood. Many potholes and cracks have developed in all the important roads of the district creating serious problems to the vehicular traffic and pedestrians alike.

Now it is a very common scene to observe in the district that rickshaws and other vehicles are plying through dilapidated roads. Though the roads are in bad shape for a long time yet those are not repaired for reasons unknown to all. The roads which are in pitiable conditions district town to Khuniya Gachh, Rajpur, Kulaghat and other places and Hatibandha town to Goddimari, Patkipa Para, Dowani and other lanes and bylanes of the district.

An official of Lalmonirhat LGED told this correspondent that the allocation for the construction and repairing of roads are not satisfactory. A passerby cannot walk easily through the roads due to bad shape. Rickshaws overturn now and then on the busy roads injuring the passengers due to so many cracks and holes. But the authorities concerned are not taking steps to repair the roads for smooth plying of vehicles, widely alleged some passengers. Cracks and potholes have developed on many points of the many narrow roads. Two vehicles cannot ply side by side at a time through the roads.

Passengers traveling on rickshaws are afraid of accidents. Besides the rickshaws jump off and on so badly that the passengers on board get hurt on the head against the rickshawhood and sometimes they get hurt in the waist when the rickshaws jerks. An auto rickshaw driver said he has to toll a lot to drive his vehicles on the deplorable roads and has to consume extra fuel needing extra money to purchase fuel.

Most of passengers of tempo and buses said poor condition of roads causes sufferings to commuters. Passengers have alleged that overloading and reckless driving cause frequent road accidents on those roads. Passengers are allegedly huddled into the buses like cattle or sheep. Most of the buses plying along those roads are condemned ones. Passengers are carried most of the time on rooftops when there is no space for them to stand inside the buses. The buses usually arrive and depart late and ply at the maximum speed to cover the lost time. Consequently road mishaps occur along the route every now and then. It is reported that the passengers are off and on subjected to extreme humiliation and harassment by the conductors and helpers. The authorities concerned should look into the matter and take proper steps for the interest of the mass people without any delay. The Executive Engineer of Lalmonirhat LGED Enamul Haque told This correspondent that his office has already send profiles of different roads repairing in the district that was damaged by the recent flood and of these profiles, some have already been approved by the concerned higher authority and the repairing of these vulnerable roads has been started. And most of the repairing works of some roads would be started in the last week of this month December, he added.