Dilapidated road at Derai poses accident risk

DERAI, SUNAMGANJ, Oct 28: A busy road connecting Majlishpur, Haranpur and Ghagtia in Derai Municipality has fallen into disrepair, putting thousands of commuters at risk of accidents every day.

The road is used daily by residents, school, college and madrasa students, motorcyclists, electric rickshaws and other vehicles. 

As the road has not undergone significant repairs for years, sections of its concrete surface have broken away, exposing steel reinforcement bars.

However, the authorities said work to repair the road would begin soon.

A visit to the area found that the road runs west from the market bridge and passes through wards 5, 6 and 7 of Derai Municipality. 

Since the municipality was established, the road has not received any major repairs, leaving several sections severely damaged.

The broken concrete and exposed steel bars have made travel hazardous for pedestrians, students and passengers.

The road is also home to numerous coaching centres that hold classes during the day and at night, making it particularly difficult for students and other commuters to use the road after dark.

Motorcycles, passenger vehicles, battery-powered rickshaws and auto-rickshaws ply the road every day. According to locals, vehicles often face accidents because of the damaged surface.

Residents said numerous potholes, uneven reinforced cement concrete (RCC) sections and protruding steel bars had made daily travel risky. 

They expressed concern that commuters and passengers were exposed to a constant threat of accidents, both during the day and at night.

When contacted, Derai Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Municipal Administrator Sanjib Sarker said the tender process for repairing the road was underway.

“The road will be rebuilt with RCC work, including an RCC beam underneath,” he said, adding that work would begin soon.