Tk 80cr road damage as rains batter Bagerhat

Days of relentless rainfall have battered nearly 180 kilometres of roads in Bagerhat, causing an estimated Tk 80 crore in damage to roads and transport infrastructure and disrupting traffic.

According to the local Roads and Highways Department (RHD) officials, the prolonged downpour has stripped bituminous surfacing from roads at multiple locations, eroded road shoulders, damaged guide walls of 40 bridges and culverts, and affected approach roads to four ferry terminals, reports UNB.

The RHD has already sought an initial allocation of Tk 35 crore from the ministry concerned to carry out urgent repair works on the damaged roads and infrastructure.

Visiting different parts of the district, including the Bagerhat-Pirojpur Road, Signboard-Sarankhola-Bogi regional highway, Fakirhat and Chitalmari areas, it was found that road surfaces were badly damaged, exposing brick and stone layers beneath bitumen.

Numerous potholes have developed on roads, many of them filled with rainwater, forcing drivers to slow down to avoid accidents and damage to their vehicles.

According to the RHD Bagerhat office, the district has a total of 442 kilometres of roads, including 101 kilometres of three national highways, 110 kilometres of 11 regional highways and 228 kilometres of 14 district roads.

Of these, around 180 kilometres have been affected by continuous rainfall.
Bagerhat RHD Executive Engineer Md Ashraful Islam Pk said the district has suffered an estimated Tk 80 crore in preliminary losses due to damage to roads, road shoulders, bridge and culvert guide walls and ferry approach roads.

Urgent repair work has already begun to restore normal road communication, while both short- and long-term rehabilitation plans are being prepared, he said.

“We have sent a proposal to the ministry seeking an initial allocation of Tk 35 crore to carry out the repair work,” Ashraful said.

Drivers using the damaged roads said they are facing severe difficulties due to potholes and damaged surfaces.

They said vehicles are forced to move slowly, while many are sustaining mechanical damage because of the poor road conditions.

Drivers of battery-powered rickshaws also complained that damaged roads have made commuting risky, with some vehicles overturning while trying to avoid potholes or give way to oncoming traffic.

Passengers urged the authorities concerned to repair the damaged roads quickly, saying travel has become difficult and accidents are increasing because of the deteriorating road conditions.

According to local sources, intermittent heavy rainfall affected Bagerhat since July 5, causing widespread damage to roads across the district and disrupting transport in many areas.

Rural earthen roads have also become largely unusable, adding to the suffering of local residents.