Thousands of people of Rajbari Sadar and Kalukhali upazilas are badly suffering as the four-kilometre road from Gandimara intersection to Old Belgachhi Bazar has become almost unfit for vehicular movement due to lack of repair for long.

Rajbari Sadar Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) officials said 2.6-kilometre of the road is under Rajbari Sadar LGED and 1.4-kilometre under Kalukhali LGED.

During a recent visit, this correspondent saw a number of potholes in the road, which has become muddy in many places.

“Thousands of people from different villages of the two upazilas use the road regularly as there is a railway station at Old Belgachhi Bazar and two colleges, four high schools, a madrasa and five government primary schools are situated near the road. They suffer a lot due to the dilapidated condition of the road,” said Rajkumar Shil of Belgachhi village.

“Our sufferings know no bound when a critical patient has to be taken to a hospital in the district town,” said a local.

Russel Rana, a college student of Basudevpur village, said, “We have to pay extra fare while commuting on the potholed road.”

Abdul Karim Mondal, a three-wheeler driver said plying of sand-laden trucks for years caused serious damage to the road.

Accidents often occur and a good number of vehicle owners have stopped operation on the road to avoid damage to the vehicles, he said.

Atahar Hossain, chairman of Khanganj Union Parishad, said he urged the LGED officials to repair the road but no steps have taken yet.

Contacted, Rajbari Sadar Upazila LGED Engineer Khan A Shamim said, “Tender has been called for repairing the road. We hope the work will start soon.”