For nearly 20,000 residents of eight villages in Madaripur Sadar’s Mostafapur Union, a little rain transforms a 3.5-kilometre road into a “sea of mud”, cutting them off from normal life.
The stretch from Uttar Barobari to Dakshin Barobari becomes submerged in thick mud and deep potholes during the monsoon, leaving vehicles unable to move. Patients are taken to hospitals on hand-pushed vans, students struggle to reach schools and colleges, and farmers face difficulties transporting produce to markets.
The road serves as a vital route for villages including Borokhalpar, Joyair and Hadullapur. Locals say around 5,000 to 7,000 people use it every day, yet the road has remained unpaved for years.
For elderly residents and emergency patients, the situation is particularly dangerous. Recently, relatives had to push a van through muddy water to take 60-year-old Safi Begum to hospital after she suffered severe chest pain.
Residents say pregnant women, elderly people and critically ill patients often face similar difficulties due to the lack of proper transport access.
“The road becomes completely unusable whenever it rains,” said local resident Gopal Das. “Students and older people suffer the most.”
The poor condition of the road has also disrupted agricultural activities and social events. Farmers are forced to spend more time and money transporting crops, while weddings and other gatherings become difficult to attend during the rainy season.
Local businessman Khalek Kabir said residents have repeatedly demanded repairs but have yet to receive a permanent solution. Villagers recently held a human chain protest, urging authorities to pave and repair the road immediately.
Responding to the complaints, Madaripur Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) Executive Engineer Mohammad Ali Haider Khan said steps would be taken soon to repair the road and make it suitable for traffic.
Residents now hope that the long-awaited repair work will finally restore normal movement and improve education, agriculture and social activities in the area.
