Home ›› 11 Sep 2022 ›› Nation
The highway connecting Lalmonirhat with Burimari land port, the second largest of its kind, has been lying in a vulnerable state due to the lack of repairing and renovation.
Local sources said cracks and potholes developed at many places of the road causing severe impediment to smooth traffic movement and risk of accident. Hundreds of vehicles including goods-laden truck ply on the road everyday risking casualties and damage.
According to the Bangladesh Land Port Authority (BLPA), around 500 trucks enter the port from India-Bhutan with imported goods while 60-70 Bangladeshi trucks carry goods for the neighbouring countries every day.
Besides, a huge number of passengers from Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Bhutan use the land port everyday for their entrance and exit point.
Transport owners and workers said steady road makes the communication fast and safer for smooth travelling and transportation.
Burimari land port, located at Sreerampur union under Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat district which, is supposed to be a two and half hour’s drive from the district headquarters. But it takes around five hours to reach the port at present due to the dilapidated condition of the road.
A goods-laden truck needs to be driven very carefully and slowly, because speedy vehicle may cause severe accident with huge casualties.
Locals and businessmen said bus, trucks and other mode of vehicles also are forced to ply at a slow speed due to developing crack and deep- holes on different parts of the road.
A motorcyclist even faces difficulties riding bike. The road has been lying in poor condition for many days. The authorities concerned are yet to take any measure.
Anowar Hossain, a truck driver at Burimari Inland Port, said they feel reluctant to carry goods on the road as it has become very risky and hazardous. Transportation on the road usually takes more time compared to other roads of the northern region.
Rokonuzzaman Rasel, a Rangpur based importer and exporter, said trade and commerce through the port is badly hampered.
He has LC business with the traders of neighboring India. He has to hire trucks often to carry goods as he imports stone, feed and onion through the land port.
He said he has to pay additional carrying costs to the transport owners and workers due to the risky and prolonged transportation hour on the road. Moreover, a tension of causing accident and damage always persists in mind while moving on the road.
Salek Miah, a bus driver on Lalmonirhat- Burimari route, said the number of passengers on the route is declining sharply as they fear to travel on the dilapidated road. It takes at least two hours more to reach the destination from district headquarters. Prolonged journey hours also the discourage passengers from travelling on the road.
Ruhul Amin Babul, president of the importer and exporter association of the port said, “The road to Burimari, the second- largest port of the country, is an important route for trade and commerce with India and Bhutan. It has huge potential as it plays a vital role for the development of the regional economy. Besides, the government earns huge revenue every fiscal year from the port.”
He urged the authorities concerned to take immediate step to repair the road.
Khalid Saifullah Sarder, Executive Engineer of Lalmonirhat Roads and Highways Department, said, “The 92-kilometer road from the district headquarters has been damaged in many places due to the rampant movement of overloaded and heavy vehicles.”
Tender has been floated and the work order has been awarded to the contractor for repairing and renovation works of the road. The construction farm owner is delaying to begin the work on the plea of increasing prices of construction materials, he added.
