S A Shofiee, Sylhet

Most of the important roads within Sylhet city Corporation area have become impassable. A big hole has been developed .

Vehicles have to move through these roads with risk. Driving through ditches often renders the vehicle useless. Accidents also happen on the roads almost every day. There is no one to see this situation due to several floods. At present, it is like an orphan. However, the city corporation is also expressing dismay over the neglected roads. The chief engineer says, we are also helpless.

After the latest floods this year, most of the roads in Sylhet city are covered with ditches, except for some sections of Pathantula RCC casting. Pichdhalai is up. In some places, the condition of the road is like this - it looks like the land has been prepared for paddy to be eaten by cows. Several large potholes have formed on many roads. If it rains a little, these holes become dangerous.

A few months ago after 2022, Sylhet was hit by another round of floods. After that, the face of most roads within the city corporation changed. The condition of Taltala road has become very bad. Especially the road from Taltala point to Surma market has become impassable. Local traders said the road is very important. Every day, hundreds of CNG-powered auto-rickshaws travel to Osmani Hospital, Medina Market, Tukerbazar through this road. Passengers have to suffer while traveling on the important road. So everyone demands quick reforms.

Pathetic condition of the road from Lamabazar point to Jitumia point. While the condition of the road was somewhat better before the flood, the suffering has reached its peak after the flood.

Kalighat is one of several important roads within the city. Being a wholesale market, many long-distance heavy vehicles with goods travel through this road every day. That is why the road is busy from morning till night. It can be seen from the surface that the condition of the road from front of Majlis Hotel through Laldighi to Kalighat is very bad. Once you go through this road, you don't want to go a second time. CNG autorickshaws, motorcycles have to be driven very slowly. However, after the rain from the last two days, the condition of the road is more miserable. Most of the pits have accumulated water, making it difficult to walk. Businessmen said that the bad condition of roads is also affecting business.

The condition of the road has deteriorated since Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury was the mayor. However, no initiative was taken despite repeated requests. There is no one to see. Many traders including Noman, Shahid, Babul Ahmed, traders of Kalighat's wholesale market, said that many cars ply on this road every day.

Similarly, the bad condition of the road from Mirabazar to Shibganj. Again from Shivganj to Tilagarh point erosion has occurred in several parts. MC College, Govt College and many other important tourist areas have to be reached through this road. That is why the road is very important.

Several yards of road from Madhuban Super Market to Shishu Park are also in poor condition. Many holes are seen. Many of these were bricked up. They are also up. Besides, the condition of at least two kilometers of road from Ambarkhana to Tilagarh via Electric Supply is very bad. If the car does not move slowly through the ditch, it is liable to overturn. Many times the car overturns and casualties also occur. Going to suburbs from Sobhanighat also has to face many potholes.

Rahim, a rickshaw driver in Laldighirpard, said that once he passes this road, he does not want to go a second time. Belal Mia, a CNG autorickshaw driver, said that autorickshaws have to be driven very slowly even during the day, otherwise they overturn. 

Here is the picture of the important roads of the city corporation. The condition of the neighborhood-mahalla roads of each ward is also bad. Month after month people are suffering and suffering.

Resident of Kharpara area of Ward No. 19 of the city, Additional Director of Bangladesh Bank Jabed Ahmad. When spoken to, he said, 'Kharpara's main and two sub-roads were widened during the time of former mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury.

But the lane next to Arjad Ali Mosque inside Mithali residential area of the same ward has not been widened. This road is completely neglected and is now impassable. Where a hole has been created.

Chief Executive Engineer of Sylhet City Corporation Noor Azizur Rahman admitted the current poor condition and said, "I myself see the condition of the helpless roads." I can't understand what to do. He said that after the floods in 2022, I had sent a project of Tk 488 crore to the government for the sustainable development of roads in Sylhet. But we got 2 crore rupees. Among them, the context of the country is different at present.