Rainfall leaves 162km Ctg city road battered

Over 162km of road in Chittagong city have been damaged by the incessant rain and consequent waterlogging.

According to the city corporation, out of a total of 800km road network in the city, over 162km stretch of road is now in a terrible condition. The roads are riddled with potholes that make it difficult for vehicles to ply on them.

Around Tk 111.21 crore is needed for repair works, said sources in the city corporation.

Airport Road, CDA Avenue road, Nawab Siraj-ud-daulah Road, Mehedibag Road, Zakir Hossain Road, KC Dey Road, Surson Road, Port Connecting Road, Agrabad Access Road, Katalganj Road and OR Nizam Road are battered and full of potholes.

Salamat Ullah, who commutes regularly from Chawkbazar to Andarkilla, said the ride is very bumpy. 

Nur Mohammad, a service holder, echoed Salamat's sentiments. 

Drivers of vehicles have expressed their frustration at the difficulty of driving vehicles on battered roads.

Md Harunur Rashid, general secretary of Chattagram Auto-Rickshaw Auto-Tempo Sramik Union, said drivers are complaining about the sorry state of the roads.

Moreover, the potholes on the streets have increased the risk of accidents, he added.

He urged the authorities concerned to repair the roads as soon as possible.

Yakub Nobi, superintendent engineer of Chittagong City Corporation, said they have not been able to successfully conduct repair works due to the incessant rainfall.

He said once the rain stops, repair works would begin in full swing, adding that it would take about a month to complete the works.