Juile Kushtia Correspondent: The Kushtia-Jhenaidah National Highway has deteriorated into a broken, pothole-ridden road. In some areas, the carpeting has completely worn off, while in others, uneven mounds have formed—turning the entire stretch into something resembling a “herringbone bond” pattern. As a result, vehicle speed has slowed, and accidents and public suffering have increased.
From Lakshmipur Bazaar to the Islamic University, about five kilometers of road have seen two and a half kilometers completely revert to brick paving. Of the total 25 kilometers in the Kushtia section, at least 10 kilometers are now severely damaged. In some areas, the condition is so poor that movement is nearly impossible.
A ground report from Mojompur Gate to the Islamic University reveals that from Bhadalia to the university, the road is filled with potholes and raised mounds in most areas. The worst condition is found between Lakshmipur Bazaar and the university—where the entire road is gradually turning into a herringbone bond surface.
Abdur Rashid, a driver from the regular Garai Transport service, said, “The road has worsened the most in the past year. What used to take one hour now takes two. Potholes and broken patches are constantly damaging our vehicles.”
Similarly, Asadul Islam Shahin, a passenger traveling to Jessore, expressed his frustration: “I’ve seen this road carpeted since childhood. Now how did it turn into a brick road? This is a national highway—it must be repaired urgently.”
Professor Dr. Md. Rashiduzzaman of the Islamic University commented, “This is one of the key routes connecting the northern and southern regions. But now it’s risky to travel on this road. Vehicles are getting damaged, accidents are increasing, and travel time has doubled.”
Acknowledging the public distress, Executive Engineer of the Kushtia Roads and Highways Department, Muhammad Monjurul Karim, said, “There is currently no separate budget for repairing this road. We are using leftover bricks from other road maintenance projects to lay herringbone bond.”
He further added, “The road was last reconstructed about 7–8 years ago. A new project proposal has been sent to the ministry, but there has been no significant progress yet.”
