City entrance in sorry state as authorities evade responsibility

Bricks and stones coming off, innumerable potholes to evade, engulfed in dust during dry weather and in mud during monsoon -- this is the sorry state of Sonadanga Bypass Road in Khulna city. 

Authorities' indifference, and lack of foresight and responsibility have left the bypass road in a decrepit condition. Many locals and inter-city vehicles are left with no choice but use the road, as it is the main way to go in and out of Khulna city.

Zakir Hossain, secretary of Khulna Motor Workers' Union, told The Daily Star that 350-400 vehicles ply the road every day. Besides, buses going to 18 districts -- including Dhaka, Barishal and Bagerhat -- and many upazilas in Khulna start their journey from Sonadanga bus terminal and go through the bypass road.

"We have been seeking a solution to this problem for years, but Khulna Development Authority (KDA), Khulna City Corporation (KCC), Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) and district administration are yet to repair the road," said Zakir.

"Authorities are yet to say when this important road will be fixed. Every day, 10-15 minor accidents occur here," he said.

KDA constructed the 2.16km bypass road, which stretches from Sonadanga bus terminal to Joy Bangla intersection, to improve connectivity between the city and other parts of the country. Construction was completed in June 2013 at a cost of Tk 20.48 crore, said sources at the organisation.

In December of that year, KDA issued letters to KCC and LGED, directing KCC to take charge of the eastern part of the road and LGED the western part.

However, no renovation or repair work has been done since construction.

KDA Chief Engineer Kazi Md Sabirul Alam said, "KDA doesn't have funds to maintain the road, so we handed over a part of it to KCC. We issued a letter to LGED in the same year to maintain rest of the road."

"KCC recently took the responsibility, but LGED didn't inform us about anything," Sabirul said, adding that another letter will be sent  to LGED soon.

"The bypass road has now become the main road. During the design period, we didn't think this road would be so busy," he said.

Tarana Khatun runs a tea stall with her husband beside the road. She said, "Whenever a vehicle drives through, the entire road and surrounding areas get covered in a thick layer of dust."

"Customers avoid my shop as they cannot sit here with cars and buses continuously passing by," Tarana said.

"At least 2,000-3,000 people walk along this road every day, amid risks of accident. There's not even a footpath in sight," said Abul Miah, Tarana's husband.

After visiting the area on Tuesday, this reporter saw many parts of the road full of big potholes, with chunks of bricks and stones scattered all around. The road's bitumen has worn away, and homes and trees around the road were blanketed with dust.

Rubel Hossain, a bus driver who regularly goes through Khulna-Barishal route, told The Daily Star that driving on Sonadanga Bypass Road is a torturous journey.

"The road was muddy during monsoon, and now it's full of dust," he said.

Another driver, Sajib Hawlader, said that they face many hassles when driving on the road, and it's a test to get in and out of Khulna city.

Liaquat Ali Khan, executive engineer of KCC, said lack of drainage is the worst aspect of the road. Consultants have been appointed to construct drainage at the part that is under KCC's supervision.

"A project was submitted to improve the road but is yet to be passed," Liaquat said.

"KDA constructed the road, then why aren't they maintaining it?" said ASM Kabir, executive engineer of Khulna LGED.

"The road does not fall under LGED's supervision. Each street has an ID and is included in a gazette. KDA can't just hand over a road on oral direction. That's why ministries must sit together and discuss the matter, but that is yet to happen," Kabir said.

"We won't object to maintaining the road, if it's given an ID from the ministry," he said.