The Mahadebpur-Porsha Road in the district lies in a shabby state hampering movement
of both vehicles and pedestrians.
Lack of maintenance work for a long time has caused the dilapidated condition of the 45
kilometre road from Mahadebpur to Porsha upazila.
Big potholes have developed and carpeting has worn out in its various parts turning the
road into a virtual death trap.
Consequently, heavy vehicles like buses, tractors and goods-laden trucks often cause fatal
accidents, even claiming lives of many.
It has now become an urgent need to bring the road, very much linked to public interests,
back to its original shape immediately, through reconstruction.
The road is vulnerable particularly at the points—from Shibgighi intersection to Shibpur
Bazar, form Mahadebpur to Kalna intersection, from Debipur to Nutunhat and Shisha Hat
to Saraigachi Road.
Abdur Rashid Shah, owner of Shah Rice Mills of Porsha upazila, said there are 30 rice
mills in the upazila which supply rice to Naogaon, Dhaka, Chittagong and other districts.
But consignments of rice cannot reach their destinations in time due to the decrepit
condition of the road.
A fertiliser dealer, Abdul Matin Shah, of the upazila said they often cannot give delivery
of their products in time as it takes them more time than normal to cross the potholed
road.
Some businessmen of the upazila said Bogra-bound buses from Rahanpur of
Chapainawabganj cross Gomastapur, Bholahat, Nachol, Porshah and Mahadebpur
negotiating the road that is risky at a good number of stretches.
Travelling on the road becomes more risky when and where it is dark.
Residents of the upazila have demanded that the authorities reconstruct the road
immediately to reduce accidents and help promote economy and business of the region.
MM Selim, executive engineer of Naogaon Roads and Highways Department, said work
to repair damaged patches on the road started several days back and the road will be fit
for vehiclular movement after the end of the work within a short time.
Asked if the authorities have any plan to reconstruct the road immediately, the engineer
said a project proposal for reconstruction of five roads, including this one, has been sent
to the higher authorities. -UNB, Naogaon
