A Based Panchagarh Correspondent: Students and local residents have created a human chain to demand the repair and paving of a three-kilometer stretch of road from Kamalapur Bazar to Langalgaon along the Panchagarh-Atoari route in the Dhakmara union of Panchagarh district headquarters.

After standing on either side of the road for approximately two hours this Sunday morning, they declared that if road repair work does not commence within the next week, they will block the road in the future.

Babli Akhter, a ninth-grade student at the local Kamalapur High School, expressed during the human chain that this road is essential for her journey to school. She noted that the road’s condition is such that even a slight rain makes it impossible for them to attend school. The road is also unusable during the dry season.

Aminur Islam, the Road Secretary of the Panchagarh District Rickshaw-Van Workers Union, stated that this is the sole route for several villages. Every day, thousands of people and various vehicles rely on this road. The authorities have not taken any action to repair or pave it for many years. Despite numerous written requests, no progress has been made. While all surrounding roads have been paved, this particular road has not seen any renovation work.

Jahangir Alam, the headmaster of Kamalapur High School, mentioned that thousands of students from five educational institutions utilize this road. Additionally, residents from eight villages, including those visiting the community clinic, depend on this route. The road has become increasingly unusable since Kazi Dhemshimari of Kazi Farms Limited established a chicken farm adjacent to Langalgaon School, leading to the daily passage of 20-30 heavy vehicles. The formation of ditches at various points along the road has rendered it impassable for pedestrians, let alone vehicles. If no action is taken to repair or pave the road within the next week, the Panchagarh-Atowari road in the Kamalapur Bazar area will be blocked, halting vehicular movement. He has called for immediate intervention from the LGED authorities to initiate the paving of the road without delay.

In this context, Ramjan Ali, the Sadar Upazila Engineer of LGED, mentioned that a total of 315 kilometers of unpaved roads in Panchagarh Sadar Upazila have been proposed for inclusion in the DPP for paving. This particular road is among them. If it gets approved in the DPP, work on this road can commence promptly.