Md Rusel Mia, Amtali (Barguna)

The recently renovated road from Patuakhali bus stand to Mahishkata on the Barisal-Kuakata highway is once again filled with potholes, so renovation work is underway again amid the rain. Locals complain that the irresponsible renovation is creating opportunities for government money to be embezzled. They have demanded an investigation into the matter and necessary action against those responsible.

Alif Paribahan driver Md. Bellal Hossain complained that the renovation work of about 19 kilometers of the Patuakhali-Kuakata 71-kilometer highway from Patuakhali bus stand to Mahishkata was completed last June. But just 15 days after the completion of the work, numerous potholes appeared on the road. Later, the road was renovated about 15 days ago, but the same situation has arisen again in just 10 days. Now, the road is being renovated in a hurry amidst the rain.

According to him, the renovation of the dam is being carried out in the rain with the aim of embezzling government money. An investigation should be conducted into this matter and strict action should be taken against those responsible.

It is learned that the 71-kilometer section of the Barisal-Kuakata highway falls under the jurisdiction of the Barisal, Patuakhali and Barguna districts of the Roads and Highways (SOH) Department. Built in 2000, this highway suffered from erosion and potholes within a few years of its construction. Although it was partially renovated in 2018, it did not last long.

According to the Patuakhali Bridge Toll Authority, at least 912 different types of vehicles use this highway every day. In addition, more than a thousand Mahindra, trolley, CNG-powered and battery-powered auto-rickshaws also ply regularly. Due to the pressure of additional vehicles and lack of maintenance for a long time, large potholes have formed at various places on the road in the last few years.

In early June this year, the Patuakhali Roads and Highways Department took the initiative to renovate about 19 kilometers of the road from Patuakhali bus stand to Mahishkata. The renovation work cost about 13 crore taka and was completed on June 30. But within just 15 days, the asphalt and stones on the road came off, creating hundreds of potholes. This disrupted vehicle movement and increased the risk of accidents. When the matter was published in various media, the Public Works Department resumed the renovation work. However, 10 days after the renovation, the same situation arose again.

On Saturday afternoon, it was seen that large potholes had formed at various places on the nearly five-kilometer road from Sakharia to Mahishkata. In many places, the asphalt had lifted and bricks had come out. Amid the rain, the workers of the Public Works Department were continuing the repair work on that section.

Local resident Mithun Karmakar said that the use of low-quality construction materials and irresponsible work have led to this poor condition of the road in such a short period of time. He demanded an investigation into the quality of the renovation work and action against those responsible.

Passengers Nazmul Ahsan and Rashemul Howlader said, "Renovation work was done on this road a few days ago. But now the same road is full of potholes and the work is being done again in the rain. This is nothing but a waste of government money." They raised the question, "If renovation is needed again in just 10 days, then where was the quality of the previous work?" They demanded an impartial investigation.

Some workers, who did not wish to be named, said, "We are doing the work the way our bosses tell us to. We have no right to do anything outside their instructions."

In this regard, Mohammad Monirul Islam, Sub-Divisional Engineer of the Patuakhali Roads and Highways Department, admitted to carrying out the repair work in the rain and said, "The potholes have to be repaired while they are small. Otherwise, they get bigger. Therefore, we have to work despite the rain."

In response to a question about how sustainable the reforms carried out in the rain will be, he did not comment directly and said, "There is nothing to be done, it is an ongoing process of the government."