S A Shofiee, Sylhet

Two and a half years and 2 km of road paving work in Dakshin Surma has not been completed. The project named Eidgah Bazar-Paschim Bhag-Khalopar road of the upazila has been stuck in various complications since the beginning.

No one can say when the road work will be completed even though the money has been allocated. As a result, there is frustration among the residents of wards 4 and 8 of the union. The fate of this long-awaited road seems to be stuck in the net of destiny. There is no lack of regret among the local people because it has not started and ended.

According to the sources of Dakshin Surma Upazila Engineer's office, on March 25, 2022, under the important rural infrastructure development project of Sylhet division, the paving work of 2128 meters long Eidgah Bazar - Paschim Bhag - Khalopar road was inaugurated. Before this, the conscious citizens of the area had been demanding the paving of this important road repeatedly, including giving memorandums. But at no time effective steps were taken for the development of the road. As a result, the people of the area were suffering.

In 2021, this road was included with some development projects of Lalabazar Union with the efforts of former secretary Zainul Bari and the support of former chairman Pir Faizul Haque Iqbal.

As a result, the tender for this project was called quickly. At the end of the tender, all the official activities were completed and the road development program was inaugurated through the then member of Parliament Habibur Rahman Habib.

The catastrophic flood of 2022 occurred shortly after the work began. Road work is stopped. The construction materials on the roads and roadsides are partially submerged in the water and the rest are neglected everywhere. Since then till today the road work has not started. As a result, the people traveling on this road have to suffer endless hardships.

Acting Chairman of Lalabazar Union Parishad, Nazrul Islam Moni, said that all kinds of cooperation will be provided by the union to start the Eidgah Bazar - Paschim Bhag - Khalopar road development project, which is a major road communication medium between the townships.

I seek the appropriate authorities' consideration in this regard. About the progress of the road last week A delegation on behalf of Paschim bhag villagers met South Surma Upazila Engineer Sheikh Azim ur Rashid. During the meeting he was apprised of the current condition of the road.

He said, subject to communication with the appropriate authorities, the road development activities of public importance will be started on priority basis. He assured full cooperation in this regard.