15-village residents suffer due poor road condition in Madhukhali

A 500-metre stretch of unpaved road connecting Ali Ahmed Professor’s house in Naopara Union to Mir Nazmul Master’s house in Mirer Kapashatia village of Kamaldia Union in Madhukhali Upazila has remained in a deplorable condition for years, causing immense suffering to local residents.

The road extends from Bhushana-Lakshmandia Market in Naopara Union to Sardar Para in the southeast.

Although paved roads exist on both sides, the 500-metre section in the middle remains unpaved and neglected despite repeated promises by candidates during Union Parishad, Upazila Parishad, and National Parliament elections.

Local residents said the road has become virtually unusable for students travelling to schools, colleges, and madrasas, as well as for people commuting to markets and transporting agricultural produce. Even light rainfall makes the road muddy and impassable, greatly increasing public hardship.

The road is used by residents of at least 15 villages, including Bhushana, Lakshmandia, Samaskandi, Kotbari, Kellabari, Gopalpur, Utholi, Amdanga and Daribazar in Naopara Union, as well as Mirer Kapashatia, Ghorakhali, Pilkhana, Makrail, Kalpoha and Nikhria villages in Kamaldia Union.

Naopara Union Parishad Chairman Md. Jahidul Islam Tipu said that, considering the importance of the road, a proposal has been included in a project of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) this year. “We hope the work will be implemented this year if the project receives approval,” he said.

Madhukhali Upazila Engineer Md. Sohel Rana said that if the road has an LGED identification number, there is a strong possibility that the development work can be undertaken in the next fiscal year.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Rawshna Jahan said she was previously unaware of the road’s condition.

“I learned about the matter today. After visiting the site and assessing the situation, necessary steps will be taken and the work may be implemented on a priority basis if required,” she said.

Local residents have strongly urged the concerned authorities to pave the road during the current fiscal year to ease their long-standing suffering.