Babul Akhtar Rana, Naogaon
The road from Raninagar in Naogaon to Kaliganj is 22-km wide and modernization work is in progress. As a result, thousands of people in hundreds of villages in the area are suffering.
In many places, mud has risen in the rainwater to fill it with soil instead of cobblestone, and knee-deep water has accumulated in most parts of the state. Also the road that was built to build the bridge-culvert has become completely impassable.
The 22-km road from Raninagar Sadar Zero Point to Kaliganj was paved by LGED a long time ago. It was handed over from LGED to the road and highways department in order to connect Natore through Kaliganj Bazar in Singra via Raninagar from Naogaon.
The road was then widened, modernized, strengthened and tenders were issued for construction of 26 culverts and 4 bridges at a total cost of Tk 105 crore.
Although the bridge and culvert work was started after 2019 after the tender, the concerned contractor has not been able to complete these works till now. In addition, in the 22 km road from Raninagar to Kaliganj, only a few parts are left occasionally and the paved part of the road is filled with loose sand, but in many places, instead of cobble sand, mud has risen in a little rain water and knee water has accumulated in most places.
As a result, it takes almost three times longer than the scheduled time to reach Abadpukur, Kaliganj area including Raninagar Sadar. Also where the road has been made to build the bridge-culvert it has become absolutely impassable.
As the road under construction is filled with potholes, every vehicle is running with great risk and accidents are constantly happening in it.
From the eastern part of the area to Raninagar and the district headquarters for business, it has become impossible to transport various goods including paddy, rice, fertilizer and go for treatment. As a result, thousands of people in the area are suffering.
Hamidul Haque, executive engineer of Naogaon Roads and Highways Department, said, “The Raninagar-Kaliganj road was due to be completed by May 8, but the contractor could not work due to the stone crisis.
And the holes will be filled later with cobbles. However, I have asked to fix the alternative roads of the bridge.”
