The 5-kilometer road from Subidkhali to Payra Kunj Ferry Ghat in the upazila has been in a bad shape for long time causing sufferings to people.
Typically, the rickshaw fare is 20 taka, but due to the extremely poor condition of the road, transportation is highly risky, forcing passengers to pay more than double the fare.
This is the Mirjaganj road in Patuakhali. Due to lack of timely repairs and unrestricted movement of overloaded vehicles, the road’s pitch and stones have worn out, creating large potholes across the road. This has led to accumulation of mud and water, making the situation chaotic. Vehicles on this road move precariously, tilting and swaying, posing significant risks. Occasionally, heavy vehicles get stuck in potholes, causing minor and major accidents. Recent heavy rainfall over the past few days has worsened the road’s condition. Even pedestrians find it difficult to walk on this road. Locals have demanded urgent repairs for the road.
The 5-kilometer stretch from the slope of Subidkhali Bridge to Payra Kunj Ferry Ghat is in a deplorable state. With no alternative route, nearly two lakh people from Mirjaganj upazila are forced to use this road. Additionally, thousands of people from the adjacent Betagi upazila and Khulna region travel this route daily.
On Saturday, a visit to the 5-kilometer stretch from the slope of Subidkhali Year Uddin Khalifa (R) Bridge to Payra Kunj Ferry Ghat revealed that the road’s carpeting has worn off in areas like Kapalbhera, Goldarbarhi, Gabtala, in front of Mirjaganj Police Station, and the Mazar area, exposing brick chips and turning it into a dirt road. Small and large potholes have formed along the sides and center of the road. Various heavy vehicles, auto-rickshaws, vans, rickshaws, and ambulances ply this road. However, the Roads and Highways Department is attempting to keep traffic moving by filling potholes with bricks or herringbone patterns. This, however, causes difficulties for smaller vehicles like rickshaws and motorcycles.
Mirjaganj village resident Md. Abdus Subahan said, “This road has been in poor condition for a long time. With the onset of the rainy season, it has become completely unfit for travel. Recent heavy rainfall has made the situation even worse. A 5-minute journey now takes over 30 minutes.” Rickshaw puller Abul Hossain said, “I have no choice but to ply this road. I have to repair my rickshaw every day. Sometimes the rickshaw tilts and falls. Passengers are reluctant to ride. Earlier, I earned 500-600 taka daily, but now I can’t even cover the rickshaw’s rental cost.”
Local resident Md. Mamun Goldar told Country Today, “People frequently face accidents while traveling on this road. When we contacted the Roads and Highways Department, they said a project for the road’s repair has been sent for approval. Work will begin soon after approval.”
Patuakhali Roads and Highways Department ( RHD) Engineer Md. Jamil Aktar Limon, acknowledging the road’s poor condition, told Country Today, “No major repair work has been done on this road in the last 2-3 years.
A 21-crore taka project for the repair of the 9-kilometer road from Patuakhali Chourasta to Subidkhali in Mirjaganj has been sent to the ministry for tender approval. We hope to start work as soon as the rainy season ends, once approval is received.”
