Potholes, water-logging make Baraigram road a nightmare

BARAIGRAM, NATORE, Aug 24: A 3.5-kilometre stretch of the six-kilometre Mukhara Hat-Ahmedpur bus stand road in Baraigram has become almost impassable, causing immense suffering to residents of Baraigram and Gurudaspur upazilas for nearly a decade.

A visit to the area on Friday found that the road from Nawdajowari culvert to Alipur Madrasa was in a dilapidated condition.

Large potholes have developed across most parts of the stretch, causing water-logging after even light rain and leaving the entire road submerged. As the road surface becomes invisible under water, motorcycles and other small vehicles often overturn and fall into the water while trying to pass through the risky stretch.

The potholes also frequently cause the wheels of trucks and other heavy vehicles to get stuck, bringing traffic to a halt. Minor and major accidents are also reported regularly, locals said.

The road is particularly important on Fridays, when people from Baraigram and neighbouring upazilas travel to Mukhara Haat on CNG-run three-wheelers, motorcycles, vans and locally made vehicles. Buyers and sellers also bring cattle to the market on trucks.

The road is also important for local trade, commerce and education. Yet, the affected stretch has not undergone proper repairs in nearly 10 years. On different occasions, authorities have attempted temporary repairs by filling large potholes with bricks or laying bricks over parts of the road.

Locals said Gurudaspur Upazila begins just one kilometre north of Mukhara Hat. Residents of several unions in Gurudaspur, as well as people from Baraigram, use the road to travel to Natore, Rajshahi and other areas.

Critically ill patients are also transported to Rajshahi through this route in emergencies. But as the road has remained unfit for use for years, residents of both upazilas are suffering severely.

Some people use an alternative route through Baraigram Police Station intersection and the Bonpara-Hatikumrul highway. However, this adds 15-20 kilometres to their journey.

Lutfar Rahman, Principal of Mukhara Islamia Degree College, said students of a college, an Alim madrasa, three high schools and several primary schools use the road every day.

“Hundreds of students suffer immensely because of the potholes, mud and stagnant water,” he said.

Truck driver Abdul Malek said the potholes often damage various parts of trucks when their wheels get stuck.

“Sometimes the vehicles break down. It has become very difficult to drive on this road,” he said.

Amirul Islam, an auto-rickshaw driver, said the road becomes invisible under water during rain.

“Different parts of the vehicles frequently get damaged while travelling along this road,” he said.

Kamrul Hasan Sarker, Executive Engineer of the Roads and Highways Department in Natore, said a proposal had been submitted to construct the worst 3.5-kilometre stretch with reinforced concrete.

“We hope to start work on the road soon to ease public suffering,” he said.