Incomplete road creates trouble for Sylhet people

OUR CORRESPONDENTS
SYLHET, June 19: The Airport-Badaghat-Temukhi road project couldn't be implemented even after repeated revisions and feasibility study, causing much inconveniences to the locals as well as the trade and businesses of the region. On occasions, teams from the Ministry of Roads & Highways (R&H) visited the site and alignments, but things hang in the balance yet due to bureaucratic tangles, sources alleged.
Raising concern, the president of Sylhet Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) ATM Shoeb in a letter sent to the minister for foreign affairs (also a lawmaker from Sylhet Sadar) and the ministry of R&H demanding immediate steps for completing the road works.
Sources said initiative for expansion of the important road began in 2010 when some works were done. Later, the locals demanded upgrading the road to a 4-lane one. Accordingly, considering its importance and rising number of vehicular traffic, a proposal was sent to the ministry for approval in 2016. But, it was later revised and a fresh proposal with addition of two service lanes was sent to the ministry for approval.
A high level team from the ministry on August 08, 2020 visited the site and alignment for a final decision, but to no effect as yet. The project saw no development in 2020-2021 too.
The SCCI official in his letter mentioned the Sylhet-Badaghat-Companiganj road is not important for transporting stones from the country's largest stone quarry, Rather Bholaganj LC station is there on the Meghalayan border, which is used for import of limestone, stone etc. Besides, tourist locations like Sadapathor, Bisnakandi, Panthumaietc drew much of the visitors during recent years. It has been on the rise day by day.
Moreover, implementation of the much desired road would ease the existing pressure on the Sylhet-Sunamganj regional highway, especially on the Subidbazar-Ambarkhana-Airport part. It may be stated that at least 2000 trucks carrying stones ply the road everyday through the Sylhet-Companiganj-Bholaganj highway. Part of the divisional city becomes standstill after the evening due to plying of stone carrying trucks. At Least 15 people were killed by speeding trucks during the last one year.
On the other hand, work on the Osmani International Airport Development project has been going on. The airport would see additional pressure with the rise of domestic and international flights after completion of the works, the SCCI chief mentioned in his letter.

Ditches developed nearby Kahaloo in Bogura — FE Photo

Our Correspondent from Bogura adds: Talora-Bogura road has turned into a death trap during monsoon resulting in accidents every day.
The people of different walks of life are forced to walk on this road at the risk of their lives. Thousands of people are suffering due to the dilapidated condition of this important road leading to the city.
Hundreds of vehicles including CNG run vehicles, trucks and easy bikes ply this road every day. Even if the road is repaired from time to time, it is of no use. The road gets damaged again in a short period of time due to the movement of large trucks carrying goods beyond their capacity.
Big ditches have developed in several places of the road as the road was not repaired as planned; the water accumulated in different parts of the road during monsoon is not easily drained.
According to relevant sources, the road from Bogura- Tinmatha to Talora via Kahalu Charmatha is about 11-km wide but the road from Kahalu to Talora is planned to be 16 feet wide. But the road from Bogura to Dargahhat via Kahalu is not being widened.
Meanwhile, according to local contractors, if these roads are not widened and strengthened, people's sufferings will continue. Considering the temporary suffering of the people, RCC has been cast on three points of Kaichar and Bogura. Where there are ditches, SB is being done with bricks. This work will reduce the suffering of the people.
Md Asaduzzaman, executive engineer of Bogura Roads and Urban Development Department, said a proposal has been sent to the ministry seeking an allocation of Tk 100 million (10 crore) for the construction of a road project from Bogura-Tinmatha to Dargahhat via Kahalu.
Besides, a proposal has also been sent for the Bogura- Talora road development project. Once the projects are approved, we will be able to work on the two roads in the next financial year, he added.
Our Correspondent from Faridpur says: after brief rain, waterlogging in Saltha Bazar of Saltha Upazila of Faridpur causes suffering to the market-goers. The drains of the main market of the upazila have been filled with garbage for several years and the drainage system has been blocked.

Drains of the main market in Saltha Bazar of Saltha Upazila of Faridpur have been filled with garbage — FE Photo

Market traders are disgusted by the stench of garbage and waterlogging. Besides, the buyers who come to the market also suffer a lot.
Traders complain that the government is collecting millions of taka from the market every year. Even then, those concerned are not taking any steps to develop the market. In such a situation, the victims have strongly demanded the development of drainage system in the market.
Haider Ali, Habibur Rahman, Solaiman Mollah, Maruf Hossain and Shakul Islam, traders of the market, said there is a haat in Saltha Bazaar every Thursday and Sunday. Due to lack of repair for several years, the drains have been filled with dirty garbage and the drainage system has been inoperative causing waterlogging only when there is a little rain. As a result, the alleys of the market become unsuitable for the movement of people.
Saltha market committee president Faroquzzaman Fakir Mia and general secretary Bachchu Mollah said there was a drain in the fish market and vegetable market. The mouths of the drain was blocked while constructing the highway through the market.
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