RAJSHAHI, Oct 7: People in Bagha upazila here have been suffering much due to deplorable condition of the roads for long.
The roads have not been repaired for long; so big and small potholes were created across the roads leaving commuters prone to accidents.
Drivers of different vehicles alleged that they are facing difficulties while running their vehicles.
Moreover, the recent incessant rainfall has increased the deplorable condition. On the other hand, commuters have to pay extra fare since drivers of different vehicles do not want to go to the respective destinations showing the cause of the dilapidated condition of the roads.
During a recent visit, this correspondent found that the most affected areas are Natunpara under Bagha-Arani road, Maudpara under Tentulia, and Arani CNG Mor road.
The people of Bagha, Charghat and Puthia upazilas in Rajshahi district and Bagatipara upazila in Natore district have to use the roads regularly but due to deplorable condition, they are suffering much.
Besides, the deplorable condition and traffic congestion is a regular hazard on the roads. As the brick soling has been removed, the road in front of Bagha Rahmatullah Girls High School has become unsuitable for use.
The condition of the three-kilometre portion of a road from Chowrastar Mor to Old Bus Stand has become pitiable and turned dangerous. As the roadside, drains have become deplorable, the road gets flooded following any scanty rainfall.
Similar situation is found in front of Bagha Model High School where teachers and students and transporters have been suffering for long. The students, children and old persons have to face great trouble while moving by the road. Even many commuters get stuck in the mud on the road.
President of Jatiya Party's upazila unit Mohidul Islam said, "Bagha upazila is an undeclared tourism spot. Almost every day, thousands of people from different places of the country come to visit Bagha Shahi Mosque, Dighi and Mazaar. But following any scanty rain, water-logging situation is created since the drainage system is not developed here. Besides, the visitors have to move through the muddy road to visit the Shahi Mosque. As a result, the number of tourists is decreasing."
Principal of Lalpur BM College Imam Hasan Mukti, who came to visit Bagha Shahi Mosque, said that it is very difficult to move through the muddy road. He demanded immediate repair of the deplorable roads.
Selim Arif of Bagha Narayanpur Mahalla said, "Sometimes the roads are repaired using low quality materials, and so these turn deplorable after a short time. Besides, the drainage system here is very poor and it causes water-logging problem after any scanty rainfall."
Engineer of Bagha Municipality Shahidul Islam said, "The present mayor has been doing a lot of work for the development of the municipality. Already many roads have been renovated. Besides, the development works of many roads are going on."
"Due to delayed flow of water through narrow drains on both sides of the road, water-logging is created. New drains have also been constructed from Old Bus Stand to Sarak Ghat," the engineer added.
Bagha Municipal Mayor Akkas Ali said, there will be no water-logging in the area from next year.
