The 11-km road constructed at a cost of Tk 50 million has been lying unused for three years as only half a kilometre couldn't be completed for negligence of the authority concerned.
This is why over 0.1 million (a lakh) people of the neighbouring habitats in 30 villages have to travel an additional 10- km road to reach destinations in Jagonnathpur and Chhatak upazilas of Sunamganj as well as part of Nabiganj upazila in Habiganj. It is between Jognagar and Haiderpur on the Kaitak road. Inhabitants of the area on the west Chhatak and a part of the neighbouring Jagonnathpur upazila of Sunamganj in addition to part of Nabiganj upazila in Habiganj travel through the Pagla-Jagonnathpur-Aushkandi road to reach the Sunamganj district town.
They could travel through Raniganj to reach Dhaka. Besides, inhabitants of 15 villages of Kolkolia union could travel to the divisional city in less time. But the incomplete road compels them to use an additional 10 -km road.
On the other hand, considering the long felt demand two bridges on the road were built at a cost of Taka 55 milliontwo years ago. The contractor left the site leaving one kilometre road undone. After the locals raised protests and formed a human chain and rally, the contractor constructed half kilometre and left the site again, causing much hardship for the locals, said a number of people like Habibur Rahman, a trader in Nabiganj upazila.
Kolkolia Union Parishad member Sohel Ahmed said the Jogennagar-Sripatipur-Haiderpur-Kaitak road has been of almost no use for the last three years as half a kilometer of the road is incomplete. The incomplete portion goes muddy during rainy season.
Former chairman of Kolkolia union parishad Sirajul Islam said locals including the students of Shahjalal College have to suffer much everyday. They suffer much during the monsoon, he added, demanding immediate completion of the road works.
An official at the LGED Sunamganj said things are hampered due to rains. A team from the LGED headquarters also visited the site recently.
