Unplanned urbanisation in Robirbazar causing public suffering
Waterlogging is becoming a permanent problem. If drains are constructed from Robirbazar to Thama Gang along Tilagaon Road, and from East Robirbazar to Shuknachara, there could be a long-term solution to waterlogging in the future said Md. Masuk Ahmed, President of the Robirbazar Business Welfare Association.
Despite multiple memorandums to the administration, practically no step has been taken, he added.
He said “Robirbazar is one of the largest business centers in Kulaura Upazila. Buyers and sellers from different areas gather here every day, including during the weekly markets on Sundays and Thursdays.
Due to insufficient funds, the market committee is unable to carry out major development work. We have informed the Member of Parliament and the upazila administration about the matter.”
Pritam Sikder Joy, Engineer at the LGED Kulaura Upazila Office, said that urgent RCC casting work is underway in East Robirbazar, and this work has now been completed. A proposal will be submitted to construct a permanent drain under another project.
Md. Akkas Ali, Deputy Assistant Engineer of the Roads and Towns Department, stated that work on the Kulaura-Robirbazar, Rajapur, and Chatla land port roads is ongoing.
The work on the Rajapur Bridge has already been completed, and construction of the connecting road has started. In the past, land acquisition issues in the Robirbazar area hampered the construction of drains and road widening projects.
Md. Mohiuddin, Kulaura Upazila Nirbahi Officer, said, “Robirbazar is a large business center. Necessary initiatives will be taken to resolve the problems by formulating a large-scale development plan.
With sincere cooperation from all stakeholders, including market traders, it will be possible to solve traffic congestion and waterlogging issues by constructing drains and widening roads.”
Robirbazar, nearly 200 years old, is the main business center among six unions in the southern part of Kulaura Upazila, Moulvibazar.
Established by Maulvi Robi Khan, a scion of the Prithimpasha zamindar family, this traditional business hub has gradually expanded over an area of about four kilometers.
The market houses around two thousand shops, a jute market, Robirbazar Mosque, schools, a college, a madrasa, Union Parishad office, land office, hospital, bank, and various NGO institutions. Robirbazar is known for having the largest number of furniture shops in the Sylhet division, as well as for its paan arat business.
Although the government collects several crores of taka in revenue from the market annually, Robirbazar, the main business center of this region, has been deprived of visible development.
Although it is not an upazila city or municipal area, urbanization has caused waterlogging, traffic jams, and uncleanliness, creating major inconveniences.
A visit to different areas of Robirbazar shows that the market is bustling with buyers and sellers from morning until late at night every day. Buildings are being constructed along Kulaura-Robirbazar-Jhilerpar Road, Robirbazar-Karmdha Union Road, and Robirbazar-Tilagaon Road in an unplanned manner, without adherence to building codes or official approvals.
Despite LGED and Roads and Township Department road construction, a permanent drainage system has not been built. As a result, even light rains during the monsoon season cause severe waterlogging, overflowing roads, and dirty water entering shops.
The lack of adequate drainage means water remains on the roads for long periods, creating difficulties for school and college students and other pedestrians.
Traffic congestion is further worsened by illegally parked battery-powered rickshaws and CNG vehicles at multiple stands inside the market. The government collects over a crore of taka in revenue from leases at the government raw market every year.
However, the raw market suffers from a lack of modernization, insufficient space for dumping garbage, and some sheds are dilapidated, posing a risk of collapse and potential accidents. No official garbage dumping area exists nearby, and traders, including the Mahaldar, dispose of waste inappropriately, including in the two government ponds.
Due to insufficient funds, the Traders Welfare Association cannot properly maintain streetlights and CCTV cameras, leading to criminal activities at night. Waterlogging also worsens with the construction of multi-storey buildings in the surrounding areas.
Many complaints have been made regarding blocked drains caused by water flowing from the front of shops and buildings onto paved roads, yet authorities have not taken action. During heavy monsoon rains, the grounds of Ali Amjad High School and College (an HSC examination center) and nearby houses are submerged. Locals believe that paving Robirbazar’s bypass roads would partially alleviate traffic congestion.
Traders and residents of the market have stated that due to rapid urbanization, areas such as Robirbazar, Prithimpasa village, and several surrounding roads suffer from inadequate drainage systems.
