Road widening and renovation work in Roumari Upazila started about four years ago. But due to the negligence of the contractor, the work has not been completed yet. As a result, more than three lakh people of Rajibpur and Roumari upazilas have been suffering for a long time.
The highway from Kurgram's Roumari via Rajibpur to Dhaka has become impassable due to the creation of large potholes. Especially about 10 km road from Dhulauri to Kartimari in Kurigram part has turned into a death trap. On top of that, development work equipment, goods and loose soil have been left on the side of the road, obstructing the movement. Since they have been lying on the road for a long time, serious problems have been created in the movement of vehicles. Roumari, however, is always busy as the highway from Rajibpur to Dhaka is the only means of communication. Moreover, this is the only main road for the residents of Mollar Char Union of Gaibandha Sadar along with Rajibpur and Roumari along with Shiberdangi, Morichakandi, Baliamari, Saidabad and the two northern upazilas to go to Rajibpur upazila.
According to the sources, under the Kurigram Roads and Public Roads Directorate, three contracting companies are working on the development of 30 feet wide road of about 29 kilometers from Dhulauri in Rajibpur to Dantabhanga in Roumari. The cost has been estimated at around 150 crores. Out of this, the contract value of 10 km from Dhulauri in Rajivpur to Kartimari in Roumari is about Tk 48 crore. Mir Habibul Alam Construction is responsible for this work. However, despite trying to contact the contractor to find out the reason for the slow speed including negligence, the company's door was closed.
It can be seen on the surface that the brickwork was laid for widening and renovation of this road about four years ago. But now most of the bricks have come out of the ground and created huge holes. Due to heavy rainfall, the road has become impassable due to knee-deep water. In Rajibpur Upazila, a huge hole has been formed in front of the Shiberdangi Bazar Jame Masjid on the highway.
Locals said that the wheel of a bus from Roumari to Dhaka got stuck in this pit recently. When traffic on the road is stopped, hundreds of vehicles including other trucks-buses, pickups, battery-powered auto-rickshaws, vans and motorcycles form a long traffic jam. Mentioning that such incidents are happening constantly, they said that even with a little rain, the potholes on the road become submerged in water. As a result, this road became impassable. Bus driver Raju Mia said, 'You have to drive on this road with the fear of an accident. Besides, if you go to and from Dhaka, you have to spend extra money for car repairs. Mizan Ali, a three-wheeler driver in Shiberdangi area, said that many roads in the country are being repaired but no one is paying attention to our roads. Even though it is a highway, it is not possible to drive on this road as it has not been renovated. Most of the time passengers have to suffer. Rajibpur Government College Assistant Professor Abdus Sattar Janan, An important road in Bangladesh and India is the Tura Road in Roumari. Also the border hut of Baliamari in Rajibpur is also located near this highway. Various products including stone, raw materials are imported and exported from India on this route. But due to the poor condition of the road, import and export are almost at a standstill.
Rajibpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Amit Chakraborty said that the road work is stopped due to the indifference of the contractor. No road work has been seen in the last one year. However, he said that the District Commissioner has been requested to repair the road as soon as possible in the monthly coordination meeting of Kurigram district.
When contacted, Nazrul Islam, Executive Engineer of Kurigram Roads and Public Ways Department, said that the contracting company has been given a number of notices. However, the work is expected to be completed by next December.
