Potholes plague Paikpara–Chonogao route in Sunamganj

Locals of Paikpara–Chonogao road in Dowarabazar upazila of Sunamganj district are facing severe hardship as the road has remained unrepaired for a long time.

They also allege that the upazila’s LGED (Local Government Engineering Department) has taken no effective measures to fix the deteriorating road.

A visit on Monday reveals that the stretch from Chonogao to Paikpara Golap’s House along the Banglabazar–Chatak road has developed numerous potholes and uneven surfaces due to prolonged neglect.

These conditions frequently cause accidents and make commuting extremely difficult for vehicles, students, businesspeople and local residents. Thousands of people, including school, college and madrasa students, use this road daily.

A local van driver, Abdur Rashid, said, “While driving my van on this broken road, nuts and bolts often come loose. A significant portion of my daily earnings is spent just on repairing the vehicle.”

Auto-rickshaw driver Abdus Salam said, “The numerous potholes on the road cause accidents almost every day. Patients and even healthy individuals find it difficult to travel safely.”

Fokrul Islam, a resident of Chonogao village, said, “Battery-operated rickshaws, vans and engine-powered vehicles risk accidents while travelling on the damaged road.”

Students from Rashid Ali Memorial Girls School, Chonogao Government Primary School, Paikpara Government Primary School, Hafizia Madrasa, Borkhal School and College and Boroiuri Alim Madrasa, among others, commute daily through this hazardous route.

When contacted, Banglabazar Union Parishad Chairman Rotarian Sheikh Abul Hossain said, “The road’s prolonged neglect has caused numerous potholes, resulting in frequent accidents.”

“Students, businesspeople, and local residents are suffering greatly. For public safety, it is essential that the road be repaired promptly,” he added.