Demanding the development of 2 kilometres of unpaved road in Kalagachi village of Tala upazila in Satkhira, locals demonstrated by planting paddy right on the road, to draw the attention of the authorities.
Tarun Mandal, a resident of the area, lamented the lack of progress in road improvement, even 52 years after achieving independence. He highlighted the repeated pleas made to local representatives, which have unfortunately fallen on deaf ears with regards to the Kalagachi village road.
He further added that given the absence of an alternative route, individuals from all walks of life, including school and college students, are compelled to trudge through knee-deep mud. This ordeal lasts for approximately five to six months each year, prompting the protest gesture of planting paddy.
Local residents shared that during rainy days, they are forced to tread two kilometers of mire-ridden paths while holding their sandals. The poor road conditions also hinder farmers from effectively marketing their produce. Despite the passage of time, road development remains stagnant. While promises are made by candidates during elections, they often fade from memory once the polls conclude.
In response, Kamrul Islam Laltu, the Chairman of the Khesra Union Parishad, acknowledged the subpar state of the road and acknowledged the need for expedited action in its improvement. However, he admitted to being unaware of the paddy seedling planting protest.
