A journey that should take only a few minutes has turned into a test of patience and caution for residents of several villages in Shibganj upazila, as a roughly three-kilometre stretch of road remains riddled with potholes and damaged asphalt.
The road runs from Kamalpur through Mirzapur to Karnakhali in Daipukuria Union and serves as a key link for local people.
But years without proper repairs have left the road in such poor condition that residents now have to negotiate potholes and stagnant water every day.
The situation becomes particularly difficult during the monsoon.
Rainwater fills the potholes, while sections of the asphalt surface have washed away.
Locals said water remains stagnant for five to 10 days after rainfall, turning parts of the road into muddy and uneven stretches.
For villagers, the consequences go far beyond an uncomfortable ride.
A child trying to reach school, a farmer carrying mangoes to market or a family rushing a sick person to hospital may all have to use the same damaged road.
“Our children use this road to go to school. Because of the potholes and water, they sometimes cannot go to school properly. When it rains, walking becomes difficult too,” said local resident Mojibur.
The road is particularly important for students because it connects settlements with educational institutions in the area.
During heavy rain, parents often become concerned about their children’s safety while travelling along the damaged stretches.
Local college teacher Abdul Jabbar said the condition of the road becomes a serious concern when someone needs urgent medical attention.
“The road has been in poor condition for a long time. The biggest problem is taking patients to hospital. It becomes very difficult to transport a patient by ambulance or other vehicles in an emergency,” he said.
The road also carries agricultural produce from the villages to local markets.
Chapainawabganj is widely known for mango production, making road connectivity particularly important during the mango season.
