The Mahadebpur-Shibganj road is an important thoroughfare in Naogaon that has been in a dilapidated condition for over a decade. The tarmac is all but faded, and potholes and ditches now cover the majority of the 2.5-kilometre road, rendering it unusable for vehicular movement.
Accidents are a frequent phenomenon that adds to the suffering of the people living in Mahadebpur and Manda upazilas. The road connects two important markets in the region and facilitates the movement of agricultural and other goods between these two markets.
About 20,000 people commute between Uttargram, Safapur and Sadar unions of Mahadebpur upazila and Ganeshpur union of Manda upazila using this road.
Locals are frustrated that the road has not been repaired for over 10 years and that, despite the commute hassle reaching an extreme level, the authorities concerned have yet to take any initiative in this regard.
Akkaj Ali, a resident of Safapur village, said: “The once paved road is now riddled with huge potholes. It is unfit even for a walk. There is no sign of tarmac anywhere anymore.”
He said the road was paved back in 2002; after that, it has been repaired only once.
“Since then, the road fell into disrepair with ditches and potholes slowly covering its entirety,” Akkaj said.
Lokman Ali, a local rickshaw van driver, said his livelihood depended on the income earned daily from driving passengers around on his van. “Passengers hardly use this broken road anymore. Besides, plying on this road causes my van to break down faster. For this, I have to ask for extra fare, which adds to the passengers’ trouble.”
Md Kabir, a resident of Dohali village, said the road was the only one connecting the two big markets in the area - Mahadebpur and Shibganj Bazar. “This road, once one of the busiest, is now almost abandoned because of its condition. I hope the authorities will repair this road as soon as possible.”
He said that a lot of paddy and vegetables are produced in this region, which need to be transported every day. “Farmers have to rent different vehicles every time they want to move paddy and vegetables to the markets as vehicles on this road tend to break down.”
When contacted, Naogaon Roads and Highways Department (RHD) Executive Engineer Sajedur Rahman said: “We have inspected the road and will soon take necessary steps to repair it.”
