A four-lane highway in Magura, built at a cost of Tk112 crore just four years ago, has fallen into severe disrepair, causing growing public suffering and a rise in accidents, according to local residents and road users.
The road from Police Lines in Magura town to the Dhaka Road bus stand was upgraded to four lanes by the Roads and Highways Department with much promise, but poor maintenance and excessive traffic pressure have left large stretches riddled with potholes, uneven surfaces and broken carpeting.
Areas including Kacha Bazar, Sadar Hospital, Bhayna Mor, Stadium Gate and Police Line Gate are now dotted with numerous small and large craters, forcing buses, trucks, auto-rickshaws and motorcycles to move at risk.
Commuters and drivers said daily travel on the highway has become hazardous, with life-threatening conditions worsening during rain as water fills the potholes, making them difficult to detect, especially at night.
On-the-spot visits showed vehicles frequently losing control on uneven patches, with minor and major accidents occurring almost daily, particularly involving buses, trucks, motorcycles and auto-rickshaws.
Truck driver Ramzan Ali said he suffered losses of nearly Tk1 lakh after the axle and spring of his truck broke while carrying goods worth around Tk30 lakh from Jashore to Natore via Magura, blaming the damaged road surface.
Several drivers said that despite being a four-lane highway, the road has become more dangerous than rural earthen roads, with vehicle parts wearing out quickly and repair costs rising sharply.
Residents of the Stadium Gate area said the stretch has turned into a death trap, with frequent accidents erasing the benefits expected from the four-lane upgrade.
Saiful Islam, a local resident, said temporary repairs using brick chips, sand and bitumen often fail within days, leaving the road in the same condition and prolonging public suffering.
College student Sonia Khatun said the road has become extremely unsafe for students and elderly pedestrians, as vehicles often veer onto footpaths to avoid potholes, leading to accidents even off the main carriageway.
Bhayna Mor trader Sharif Hossain said customer numbers have dropped sharply due to accidents, dust and traffic congestion, causing business losses and forcing many to avoid the road altogether.
Magura Roads and Highways Department Executive Engineer Md Russell said steps have already been taken for repairs and the road has been included under the PMP project, adding that tenders have been invited three times and repair work would begin soon after work orders are issued.
The project was announced in 2017, construction began in 2019 and was completed after nearly three years.
Local residents and rights groups have demanded urgent full-scale repairs, regular maintenance and accountability of contractors and authorities, warning that without immediate action the four-lane road would turn from a development promise into a long-term burden for Magura.
