Shariatpur-Padma Bridge link road — a death trap

The stretch of road from Shariatpur Sadar to the Padma Bridge approach road remains a tragic scar on the country's development map. For years, this narrow and dilapidated road has caused immense hardship to commuters and businesses alike. Farmers transporting rice, jute and vegetables to market incur significant losses due to the poor condition of the road. The constant jolting of vehicles is particularly distressing for elderly passengers, pregnant women and heart patients. A bus and an auto-rickshaw can barely pass side by side and even without traffic congestion, journeys take far longer than they should because of the road's limited capacity.

Thousands of vehicles use this route every day, yet it has seen little meaningful improvement. While traffic moves swiftly across the Padma Bridge and fuels the nation's economy, the people of Shariatpur are forced to endure unsafe roads, wasted time and unnecessary suffering. It is unfortunate that those living at the doorstep of the bridge are left behind.

The authorities must, therefore, take immediate steps to repair and upgrade the road from Shariatpur Sadar to the Padma Bridge connecting point and expand it into a four-lane highway. The people of Shariatpur deserve safe, efficient and modern road connectivity befitting the gateway to one of the country's greatest infrastructure achievements.

Mithila JasimTonni

Student, Eden Mohila College