A key nine-kilometre stretch of the Baniajuri–Gior regional road in Gior Upazila has become severely hazardous due to prolonged neglect and lack of maintenance, leaving commuters exposed to frequent accidents and growing hardship.
The deteriorating section, stretching from Baniajuri to Gior, is riddled with deep potholes and broken surfaces, making movement difficult and unsafe for vehicles and pedestrians alike.
Local residents said large craters across multiple points have disrupted traffic flow, while a partially collapsed section near Baliakhara Bazar has worsened the situation, tilting one side of the road and increasing the risk of vehicles overturning.
Small vehicles, including auto-rickshaws and motorcycles, frequently lose balance on the damaged stretch, leading to regular injuries among drivers and passengers.
Bailat village resident Mobarak Hossain said his father was seriously injured near Baliakhara Bazar while returning home from Baniajuri by a locally-run vehicle after an auto-rickshaw overturned.
He suffered a broken leg in the accident, and the family had to spend around Tk 70,000 to Tk 80,000 on treatment, placing a heavy financial burden on them, he said.
Puran village resident Suman Dewan Shakib said the road is used by a large number of vehicles every day, but accidents are occurring almost daily due to its poor condition.
He said the situation has worsened over time, yet no effective steps have been taken, pushing public suffering to an extreme level.
Traders and passengers said the problem is not limited to Baliakhara Bazar, as similar damage is visible across multiple segments of the road.
In several areas, the bitumen surface has worn off, leaving deep holes, while waterlogging in parts makes it difficult for drivers to assess road conditions, further increasing risks.
Baliyakhora Union Parishad Chairman Haji Md Aowal Khan said the road has become filled with potholes, and the sunken section near Baliakhara Bazar has made movement more dangerous.
He said daily suffering is increasing and urged urgent intervention from the authorities to repair the road.
Gior Upazila Executive Engineer Mohammad Ali said the authorities are aware of the road’s poor condition.
A proposal has already been sent to higher authorities under the Amphan project for repair work, and maintenance will begin once approval is granted, he said.
Gior Upazila Nirbahi Officer Nashita-tul Islam said the matter is being treated with importance.
She said the road is a vital regional route relied on by thousands of people daily, and necessary steps are being taken to start repair work quickly to ease suffering and ensure safer movement.
