Commuting along Barisal-Khulna highway is a real hassle now, as a three-kilometre stretch on the highway from Rupatoli Bus Stand to Kalijera has been in dilapidated condition. 

In the absence of a proper drainage system, the stretch of the road, which falls under Barisal City Corporation, gets waterlogged, creating potholes. Meanwhile, recent rain has worsened the situation. 

People of three districts -- Jhalakathi, Pirojpur and Barguna -- are the worst affected, as they have to use the road to enter Barisal. 

With Eid approaching, the battered road condition will deal a heavy blow to the commuters, if not repaired immediately, said the commuters.

Some points of the road are very risky as drivers often fail to sense the depth of the water-filled potholes, causing frequent accidents, said Sumon, a bus driver in Rupatoli Bus Stand area.

Drivers have to be extra cautious while crossing this stretch of the road, taking more time than usual, he added. 

Anower Hossain, a medicine shop owner in the area, said, “The road has been in such dilapidated condition for two years. The road has turned into this condition over the years in the absence of a proper drainage system.”

Moreover, stagnant water spreads foul smell, adding woes to the pedestrians and commuters, he said.   

“If the road is repaired without developing a proper drainage network, it won't bring any fruit. Failing to pass, the water will then overflow the road, bringing no result at all,” he observed.   

Nishat Jahan, a student of Barisal Government Women's College, regularly uses the road to and from the college. She said commuting along the road has left a detrimental effect on her health. 

“Accidents have become a regular phenomenon on the pothole-riddled road,” said auto-rickshaw driver Russell.

“My auto flipped over when its wheel hit a large puddle in Kalijera area. Three passengers got injured in the accident that took place around 20 days ago,” he added.

Contacted, Khandakar Golam Mostofa, executive engineer of Roads and Highways Department (RHD) in Barisal, said “I am trying hard to keep the highway fit after joining here.” 

He said the poor drainage system is responsible for damaging the road.

Without developing the proper drainage system, the road cannot be kept fit, he said, adding that the road was repaired several times but got back to its previous state shortly as  water always overflows the road.

“Recently, I have visited different areas along with executive engineer of the city corporation to have a first-hand knowledge of the road condition, and requested him [executive engineer] to improve the drainage system as soon as possible,” added the RHD executive engineer.   

Uttom Kumar Roy, deputy commissioner (traffic) of Barisal Metropolitan Police, said vehicles plying the road often get stuck on the damaged road, creating traffic jam in the area.

He had to deploy additional forces to deal with the situation, he added.

Contacted, Md Nurul Islam, chief engineer of Barisal City Corporation, said, “We have prepared a plan for establishing a modern drainage system on both sides of the road. It will be sent to the ministry soon for approval.”

BUS OWNERS PROTEST TODAY

For repairing Barisal-Dhaka highway before Eid, Barisal Bus Owners' Association yesterday announced that it would form a human chain today.  

The announcement came at a press conference at the association's office in the city.

The leaders alleged that the stretch from Joysree to Bhurgata on the highway has developed many potholes, making it difficult for them to pass smoothly. 

As a result, accidents have been a regular phenomenon there, they said. 

They alleged that they had long been demanding that the road be repaired, but authorities concerned did not pay any heed to their call.

Apart from the human chain to be formed today, their programmes included blocking Dhaka-Barisal highway on August 24, laying siege to Barisal RHD office on August 27, and an indefinite strike after Eid.

RHD Executive Engineer Khandakar Golam Mostafa said repairing work was going on the highway but was interrupted due to recent rain.

The 35km stretch from Joysree to Bhurgata would be repaired before Eid, he added.