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Editorial

Repair roads immediately


Bangladeshpost
Published : 23 Oct 2024 08:52 PM

The Moulvibazar-Rajnagar-Kheyaghat Bazar Road, a 17-kilometre way linking Rajnagar upazila in Moulvibazar and Balaganj upazila in Sylhet, has fallen into a state of severe disrepair. Over three lakh people who depend on this road are suffering as it has become almost impassable due to years of neglect. The road remains a worrying example of poor infrastructure management and authorities concerned inaction.  

Handed over to the Local Government and Engineering Department (LGED) in 2019, the road has seen no significant improvement beyond minor brick surfacing, which did little to halt its further deterioration. Budget constraints and shifting political priorities have delayed repairs for years, while residents suffer growing disruption to their daily lives. The road’s current condition, worsened by recent floods and the collapse of the Manu River’s flood protection dam, which left it nearly unusable. Big potholes and widespread cracking make it unsafe for vehicles, while continuous rainfall has exacerbated waterlogging in main areas like Rajnagar Sadar, Mokam Bazar, Azad’s Bazar and Madhur Dokan. 

This dilapidated road is not only an inconvenience— it is a serious problem impacting safety, economic activity and daily mobility. The increasing frequency of accidents and the mounting costs of transportation have had a severe effect on local businesses and livelihood. Transportation ways are regularly cut off, especially during religious festivals, adding to the distress of even now suffering commuters. The long delays in repair work and the road’s declining condition underline the broader issue of neglect faced by rural infrastructure.  

The authorities concerned may play a big role 

to resolvethis crisis immediately.

The repair of the Moulvibazar-Rajnagar road should be 

prioritised and resources must be allocated with no delay

Encroachment by the local businesses has also compounded the problem. The road has become narrower, leading to frequent traffic jams and further deterring movement. The absence of a functional road affects every aspect of daily life, from access to markets and healthcare to disruption in public transport services. 

Although proposals for solutions have been made, it still remains unimplemented. The introduction of a ferry service through the Kushiara River, aimed at improving connectivity between Moulvibazar and Sylhet, has yet to materialise. Besides, there is a plan for a Tk 1,000 crore project to connect Hamidpur in Rajnagar upazila with Radhakona in Balaganj upazila. Though a design has been prepared and an expert hired, the project’s future remains uncertain because of political unrest and lack of sufficient funds. 

The government may keep a big role to resolve this crisis immediately. The repair of the Moulvibazar-Rajnagar road should be prioritised and resources must be allocated with no delay. At the same time, the proposed dam over the Kushiara River should be pursued as a long-term solution to ensure sustainable connectivity between Moulvibazar and Sylhet. The current situation is not just a failure of infrastructure— it is a failure to provide basic public services to rural communities. 

Urgent and decisive action is required to restore this critical road. The government can improve the daily lives of the affected communities and demonstrate a commitment to fair development across the country by addressing these infrastructure challenges. It is time for the promises of repair and renovation to be fulfilled, before the situation exacerbates and the suffering of these communities increases.