The streets of Dhaka continue to deteriorate, with potholes and damaged roads causing significant disruptions throughout the city. The stretch of road from the Khilgaon flyover to Nandipara Bridge, also known as Basabo-Madartek Road, is in particularly poor condition, with large potholes and loose bricks that have been laid over craters. These imperfections cause frequent accidents, as battery-operated rickshaws and three-wheelers often overturn due to the dangerous road conditions.
Hasanul Islam, a rickshaw puller on this route, expressed frustration, stating that the two-kilometer road has been in a bad state for over a year. “The authorities are indifferent. Every day, accidents occur, and the recently repaired sections have already fallen apart,” he said.
This issue is not isolated to one road. In the Mugda Bishwa Road area, roadwork for renovation, expansion, and drainage began 18 months ago but remains incomplete. Materials are left scattered across the area, and the work has led to severe waterlogging, making it difficult for locals to navigate, especially during the monsoon.
The road between Dayaganj and Jurain Railgate also experiences severe water accumulation after light rain, with potholes large enough to flood several feet deep. The constant waterlogging leaves pedestrians and vehicles struggling to move, with some roads completely blocked for days.
Across Dhaka’s city corporations, a widespread infrastructure crisis continues. Roads in both residential and commercial areas are full of craters, bumps, and rising pitches due to prolonged neglect. Some areas, like Mouchak, Maniknagar, Gopibagh, Malibagh, and others, are riddled with potholes. Temporary fixes with bricks and mortar have been unsuccessful, as rain quickly washes away repairs, leaving roads in a continual state of disrepair.
City corporation sources reported that Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has 1,656 km of roads, with 214 km and 27 km of footpaths damaged in the last monsoon. Similarly, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) oversees 1,577.83 km of roads, of which 150 km were also affected by monsoon damage.
Officials have assured the public that repairs are ongoing. Kazi Md. Borhan Uddin, Additional Chief Engineer of DSCC, stated that small potholes are addressed within three days, while major roadwork can take two to three months to complete.
“The work is progressing, and other agencies are also involved,” Uddin added, expressing hope that the situation will improve soon.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
