Azad, Lakshmipur Correspondent: Despite the Ministry of Roads and Bridges initiating a Tk 3.76 billion project to upgrade the Lakshmipur-Begumganj regional highway to four lanes, progress has stalled due to issues with the tender process. Over the past four years, the deteriorating highway has resulted in approximately 220 fatalities, with around 500 impoverished individuals suffering injuries and disabilities.
On Sunday, September 14, Dr. Rezaul Karim, a Central Jamaat leader and candidate for the Lakshmipur-Sadar constituency, took it upon himself to renovate Chandraganj Afzal, as the Roads and Highways Department had neglected it for an extended period.
The 40-kilometer stretch from Raipur Bus Terminal to Chandraganj in Sadar Upazila has developed large potholes in several areas. The roads connecting Dalal Bazar, Mile Mata, Bus Terminal, and Uttar Temuhani, Joksin Bazar are in such poor condition that the asphalt has been stripped away, leading to water accumulation that dries into dust and sand, further polluting the environment.
Local residents, drivers, and political and social leaders are expressing their frustration over the lack of progress in upgrading the road to four lanes. In response, local residents have organized protests, held press conferences, and even attended the funeral of the absent executive engineer of the SAOZ, all while demanding action on the road renovation.
Every day, people from 15 to 20 districts, including Dhaka, Chittagong, Comilla, Feni, Noakhali, Chandpur, Faridpur, and the southern districts of Bhola, Barisal, Patuakhali, and Pirojpur, travel along the Raipur-Lakshmipur-Noakhali highway. This highway serves as a vital transportation route for hundreds of thousands of individuals, with numerous heavy drum trucks transporting sand from Majuchaudhuri Hat traversing this road daily.According to the concerned sources, the ‘Development Project Proposal (DPP)’ of a four-lane road of 40 km from Raipur Bus Terminal to Chandraganj Bazar in the Lakshmipur section has been passed. The project will have four lanes of 24 feet on one side and 48 feet on the other, with a divider in the middle. Although tenders were invited by publishing a notice in the newspaper in early February 2024, the tender process for appointing contractors has been closed for mysterious reasons. However, the Roads and Towns Department says that the tender verification and selection process is still under process in Dhaka and Comilla.
VV Roy Chowdhury, a drug dealer in Dalal Bazar area, said, “The road has been in a very poor condition for about 5 years. It is not being repaired permanently. Occasionally, repairs are being made, but that too is of no use. Within a few days, the previous condition is seen. It seems like the Roads and Highways Department is making a ‘joke’ in the name of repair. He considers repairing the highway with bricks ‘ridiculous’.”
On July 14 of this year, a human chain was held in front of the Roads and Township Office after the funeral. Earlier, the participants expressed their anger and spoke.
Jamaat held a press conference at Lakshmipur Press Club on August 20 demanding the immediate start of the four-lane road construction. Highlighting the plight of this important highway, Jamaat leaders demanded the immediate start of the work. They warned of undertaking various programs including human chains if the work did not start soon.
Jamaat leader Dr. Muhammad Rezaul Karim said that the Lakshmipur-Noakhali highway is the only means of communication with most of the districts of the country including Dhaka-Chittagong, Bhola-Barisal. Last February, funds were allocated for four lanes for this road. But due to unknown reasons, the work is not starting. Officials of the road department are also unable to give specific reasons. I have learned that the work is not starting mainly due to bureaucratic complications.
Lakshmipur Roads and Highways Department Deputy Assistant Engineer (Civil) Md. Ataur Rahman said, tenders have been invited in 2 packages for four lanes. For transparency in the tender process, the Comilla office evaluates and selects contractors for large projects. It takes time to verify and select. Where there are large potholes, the potholes are being filled.
