Dilapidated Sanuhar-Dhamura-Satla Road in Barishal Leaves Over One Lakh Residents Stranded Amid Stalled Infrastructure Projects
Photo Collected
The 24-kilometer Sanuhar-Dhamura-Satla road in Uzirpur Upazila of Barishal has fallen into a state of critical disrepair, disrupting the daily lives of over 100,000 residents across five unions. Once a vital artery connecting local communities to the Upazila headquarters, hospitals, banks, and markets, the road is now characterized by deep potholes, stripped bitumen, and persistent mud, posing severe risks to commuters.
Local residents and transport operators report that the road, originally constructed in late 2001, has seen no significant maintenance for the past eight years. Rahim Bepari, a local auto-rickshaw driver, described daily transit as a hazardous endeavor, noting that frequent accidents and vehicle damage have led to a sharp decline in his income. The road serves Satla, Harta, Jalla, Sholak, and Bamrail unions, with an average daily traffic volume exceeding 30,000 people.
Sholak Union Parishad Chairman Sardar Abdul Halim expressed frustration, stating that repeated appeals for repairs have yielded only empty promises. The situation is particularly dire for students, such as Ilyas Hossain, who struggle to reach school during the rainy season as the road turns into a swamp of mud and water. Local educator Badruzzaman emphasized that without immediate, sustainable intervention, the condition of the infrastructure will continue to deteriorate.
The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) had initiated a 45-million-taka project in the 2023-24 fiscal year to widen the road from 12 to 14 feet. Two of the three project packages were awarded to Ifti-ETCL, a firm owned by Mohiuddin Maharaj, a former Member of Parliament. However, work stalled indefinitely after Maharaj fled the country following the collapse of the Awami League government on August 5.
While the third package, covering an eight-kilometer stretch from Jalla to Satla, was awarded to the Barishal-based Amin Engineering and remains ongoing, the remaining 16 kilometers are in limbo.
In a separate development, the LGED Barishal office issued a new tender last May for the renovation of an eight-kilometer segment, which was awarded to the Kishoreganj-based firm Mominul Haque for 242 million taka. The contract mandates completion within one year. However, the final eight-kilometer section has yet to be included in a formal development project proposal (DPP), leaving it ineligible for new bidding.
Mohammed Miraj Shikdar, organizational secretary of the Barishal Bus Owners’ Association, stated that the road is no longer fit for heavy vehicles, including cargo trucks. Despite the lack of safe infrastructure, operators continue to run services due to a lack of viable alternatives.
Local civil society representatives, including Mahfuzur Rahman of the Uzirpur branch of Citizens for Good Governance (SHUJAN), have urged the government to expedite repairs. They highlighted the importance of the route as the primary gateway to the Satla tourism area, famous for its lotus marshes, which draws significant visitors during the monsoon season. Uzirpur Upazila Engineer Subrata Roy confirmed that while one package is currently being executed, the remaining segments are stalled due to administrative and budgetary hurdles.
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