Rajshahi, Sept 26 (V7N) – Thousands of residents in several villages of Panchandar Union in Tanore upazila, Rajshahi, are facing severe hardship because of a 2.8-kilometre unpaved road that has remained in poor condition for years.

The road, connecting Koel Hat with Baidyapur, is an important route for residents of several villages as well as farmers transporting crops from nearby agricultural fields. Locals said the road becomes almost impassable during the rainy season, leaving residents dependent on limited means of transport.

Residents alleged that the road has not been developed because a large portion of the local population supports the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). They claimed that several development proposals for the road were submitted by the union parishad during the previous 17 years but were subsequently cancelled and funds were used for roads in other areas.

The road connects several important institutions and marketplaces. At its eastern end are Koel Hat, Koel College, Koel High School, Koel Government Primary School and Koel Hafezia Madrasa. At the western end are Baidyapur Hat, Baidyapur Dakhil Madrasa, Galla High School, Galla Government Primary School and a Hafezia Madrasa.

The road is also regularly used by farmers from several villages to reach their fields and transport harvested crops.

During the dry season, residents can use the road with difficulty. But during the monsoon, even light rainfall turns it into a muddy stretch, with water and mud reportedly reaching knee level in places. Pedestrians often struggle to walk along the road, and some have reportedly suffered injuries after falling in the mud.

Farmers, day labourers, students, women and children all use the road on a daily basis. During heavy rain, locals said even ox carts become difficult to operate, leaving residents with virtually no practical means of transportation.

Koel village residents Alamin Ali and Jasim Ali said the road had become a daily source of suffering.

“Development is taking place across the country, but we are still struggling with mud. Our mothers and sisters often fall and get injured while using the road. When we try to transport agricultural produce, some of it gets damaged before reaching its destination,” they said.

Another resident, Amirul Islam, said residents are often promised development during elections but receive little attention afterward.

“We are promised development during elections, but no one comes to check on us afterward. The lack of a proper road is holding our villages back,” he said.

He added that farmers face particular difficulties in transporting crops from their fields and that labourers sometimes refuse to work in the area because of the poor road conditions.

Mujibur Rahman, president of the Panchandar Union BNP and an assistant professor, said farmers suffer greatly because the earthen road has not been improved.

“It becomes extremely difficult to bring crops home from the fields. In some cases, farmers cannot find labourers to harvest paddy because of the road. Even when labourers agree to work, farmers sometimes have to give them half of the harvested crop as wages,” he said.

He called for urgent intervention by the relevant authorities to pave the road.

Panchandar Union Parishad Chairman Abdul Matin acknowledged the hardship faced by local residents and said the roads needed to be paved as soon as possible.

“People from several villages are suffering severely because of this single road. It needs to be developed urgently,” he said.

END/MRA/SMA/