A journey that should take only a few minutes has turned into a test of patience and caution for residents of several villages in Shibganj upazila, as a roughly three-kilometre stretch of road remains riddled with potholes and damaged asphalt.
The road runs from Kamalpur through Mirzapur to Karnakhali in Daipukuria union and serves as a key link for local people.
But years without proper repairs have left the road in such poor condition that residents now have to negotiate potholes and stagnant water every day.
The situation becomes particularly difficult during the monsoon.
Rainwater fills the potholes, while sections of the asphalt surface have washed away.
Locals said water remains stagnant for five to 10 days after rainfall, turning parts of the road into muddy and uneven stretches, reports UNB.
For villagers, the consequences go far beyond an uncomfortable ride.
A child trying to reach school, a farmer carrying mangoes to market or a family rushing a sick person to hospital may all have to use the same damaged road.
“Our children use this road to go to school. Because of the potholes and water, they sometimes cannot get to school properly.
When it rains, walking becomes difficult too,” said local resident Mojibur.
The road is particularly important for students because it connects settlements with educational institutions in the area.
During heavy rain, parents often become concerned about their children’s safety while travelling along the damaged stretches.
Local college teacher Abdul Jabbar said the condition of the road becomes a serious concern when someone needs urgent medical attention.
“The road has been in poor condition for a long time. The biggest problem is taking patients to hospital.
It becomes very difficult to transport a patient by ambulance or another vehicle in an emergency,” he said.
The road is also used to transport agricultural produce from the villages to local markets.
Chapainawabganj is widely known for mango production, making road connectivity particularly important during the mango season.
Local trader Faruk Hossain said transporting mangoes along the road is costly and time-consuming.
“It is very difficult to take mangoes to the market along this road.
Auto-rickshaws and other vehicles sometimes fall into the potholes, causing accidents. As a result, both journey times and transport costs increase,” he said.
A visit to the area found potholes scattered across several sections of the road, with some stretches showing extensive damage to the asphalt surface.
Rainwater had accumulated in a number of the depressions, forcing vehicles to slow down and manoeuvre carefully.
Residents said auto-rickshaws have overturned after falling into potholes, causing injuries.
They fear the risks will continue as long as the road remains unrepaired.
The road’s deterioration has also affected the movement of goods and local businesses, while commuters face longer journeys and higher transport costs.
Shibganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mazharul Islam said the Local Government Engineering Department has taken steps to repair the road.
“After the tender is invited and a contractor is appointed, necessary measures will be taken to ensure that the work is completed quickly,” he said.
