Renovation of a vital road leading to the village of Birshreshtha Hamidur Rahman in Maheshpur remains stalled as the contractor has failed to start work even after the contractual deadline expired, leaving thousands of people from around 20 villages in Jhenaidah and Chuadanga districts to suffer.

Although the work order was issued and the contractual deadline expired about a year and a half ago, the contractor has yet to begin the renovation work, prolonging the suffering of residents who depend on the road for daily travel.

Mustafizur Rahman, nephew of Birshreshtha Hamidur Rahman, said the road connecting Khardda Khalishpur village, the birthplace of the country’s highest gallantry award recipient, had remained in a deplorable condition for more than four years.

The road is now riddled with potholes as its asphalt and brick chips have worn away.

Even light rain leaves the potholes filled with water and turns sections of the road muddy, making it difficult for vehicles to pass.

Small vehicles, including vans, easy bikes and motorcycles, frequently meet with accidents while navigating the damaged stretches, he said.

Mustafizur said a tender was invited on September 24 last year to renovate the road in an effort to ease public suffering.

Contractor Rafiqul Islam was awarded the work, but he began delaying it on various pretexts after receiving the work order.

The contractual deadline eventually expired on April 13 this year without any work being carried out.

Shamim Hossain, a local college teacher, said thousands of people, including students, use the road every day, but its numerous potholes frequently cause vehicles to overturn.

“Taking a pregnant woman or a critically ill patient to hospital through this road has virtually become a life-and-death struggle,” he said.

Local resident Abdul Gafur said people from around 20 villages regularly use the road, including those in SSBK and Sabdalpur areas of Jhenaidah and Andulbaria and Raypur unions under Jibannagar upazila of Chuadanga.

“Travelling on this road has now become extremely difficult,” he said.

Contacted, Maheshpur Upazila Engineer Md Azizul Haque said the contract with the contractor had been formally cancelled for failing to start the work within the stipulated time.

“Fresh tendering for the road renovation is now underway. We hope to complete the process soon and begin the work through a new contractor,” he said.