The distance is only three kilometres, but the sufferings are unlimited.

If you are a student or an office goer using this Kalijera-Rupatoli road to go to Barisal city, get out of home early, because there is no guarantee that you will reach your destination on time.

You may face an accident any moment -- no matter you travel in a bus, car or rickshaw. There is great possibility for any vehicle to flip over.

If you are a patient with severe illness, jerking of vehicles may deteriorate your condition and you may die before reaching a hospital.

For a vehicle, sustaining damages is quite common.

The 3-kilometre road, riddled with numerous potholes, has been taking a huge toll on the road users for three years.

Thousands from three districts -- Jhalakathi, Pirojpur and Barguna -- have to pass through the road to go to Barisal or any northern district.

Sumon, a bus driver, said several damaged portions are very risky. He has to be more cautious to drive and subsequently it takes more time to pass through the entire road.

Jamal Hossain, another bus driver, said, “Accidents occur on seven spots every day.”

“Once I fell off an auto-rickshaw at Kalijera and suffered ankle fracture,” said Nasrin Aktar, a college student.

Goods-laden trucks get stuck on Jagua spot on a regular basis, said locals.

Raju, a truck driver, echoed them.

Rickshaws and auto-rickshaws very often turn turtle after falling in craters, said witnesses.

“My auto-rickshaws overturned in Kalijera area last month, injuring three passengers,” said Rubel, a driver.

Jahidul Islam, an ambulance driver, said it is a very tough job to drive with a patient inside the vehicle.

There is no relief for pedestrians too. Najneen Aktar, a student of Jagua Degree College in Rupatoli area, said, “We are afraid of walking along the road as jerking vehicles may fall on us any time.”

Roads and Highways Department is entrusted with looking after the road.

Golam Mostofa, executive engineer of RHD in Barisal, said the road does not remain in good shape despite repair.

About the reason behind it, he said the road gets waterlogged during every monsoon. The situation lasts for a long time as the water cannot recede due to a lack of drainage system, he said.

In this regard, locals said near the road there were several canals that drained the water to the river Kirtonkhola. But, over the years the waterbodies were grabbed.

Golam Mostofa said the road was repaired several times in the last three years. Its reconstruction will start by December, he added.

The Barisal City Corporation authorities were informed of the overall situation, he further said.

About the drainage system, Nurul Islam, chief engineer of BCC, said they applied to the local government ministry for approval of a proposal on a drainage system three months ago.

Once the proposal gets a nod, drains will be constructed there, he added.