ROUMARI, KURIGRAM, June 1: The practice of drying paddy, straw and maize on paved roads has increased in different areas of Roumari Upazila in Kurigram, raising serious safety concerns over road accidents.
Important roads in the upazila are regularly used by trucks, motorcycles, rickshaws, vans and easy-bikes. However, the spread of crops across these roads is severely disrupting traffic movement and creating frequent conflicts between road users and pedestrians.
Locals say immediate and effective action is needed, warning that the situation could lead to serious accidents at any time.
A visit to the area found that several kilometres of road from Thana Mor to Dantbhanga Shalur Mor were being used by farmers to dry paddy, straw and maize. In some places, threshing of paddy was also taking place directly on the roads.
In certain sections, crops were spread on both sides of the roads, forcing pedestrians and vehicles to pass with extreme caution. An incident was also reported on Thursday near Kuttirchar Bridge on the Roumari launch ghat road, where a dispute broke out between SSC examinees and locals over maize drying on the road.
Similar conditions were observed on several rural roads across different unions of the upazila.
Passengers and pedestrians complained that ignoring regulations and using roads for crop drying is causing severe difficulties in movement.
Farmers, however, said drying crops on paved roads is faster and more convenient compared to courtyards, especially as delays increase the risk of damage from rain or storms. Many also argued that their houses are located close to roads, making the practice more practical for them.
Roumari Upazila Agriculture Officer Mahbub Alam said awareness campaigns are being conducted to discourage the use of roads for drying crops.
Officer-in-Charge of Roumari Police Station Kawsar Ali said the use of roads for drying crops increases the risk of accidents. "We are monitoring the situation to ensure no obstruction is created on any road," he added.
