Construction of Gouripur-Bokainagar Road is causing severe problems for thousands of villagers in Gouripur upazila.

The work began four months ago and the contractors have only dug the road, which has almost become a canal due to heavy rainfall in recent days, locals said.

Bokainagar Union Parishad Chairman Habib Ullah Habib said he told the concerned authorities about the problem several times, but to no avail.

The road is very important as it connects different places of adjacent upazilas with Mymensingh and Netrakona towns, the chairman said.

As Boro harvesting is still going on, farmers are the worst sufferers as they have to use an alternate road, which takes more time and money, he added.

Around 20,000 people of the union, including a large number of students, use the road daily, much to their suffering, the chairman said. 

As buyers from distant places cannot visit the area due to the condition of the road, farmers are facing serious trouble selling their produce, including vegetables, at fair price, said the chairman.

Bokainagar union Awami League Secretary Abdul Halim said transportation of goods through the road has totally stopped. He said the upazila administration was informed about the matter, but no step has been taken yet.

Upazila Engineer Abu Saleh Md Wahidul Haque said the contract for construction of the 1,175-metre road at a cost of over Tk 65 lakh was given to Shahriar Enterprise, a construction firm of the district.

Lawmaker from Gouripur Nazim Uddin Ahmed inaugurated the work on January 5 this year, and it was scheduled to be completed by April, the engineer said.

“We had hoped that the earthen road will be paved with concrete, but now it is causing serious sufferings for us,” locals said.

Betandar High School Headmaster Saiful Islam said there are around 500 students in his school and 150 of them used the road regualrly but now they have to use an alternate road.

The road should be constructed soon, the headmaster said, adding that attendance has reduced in recent days.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Farhana Karim said she asked the contactors to complete the work immediately, and they assured her they will complete the work within a week.

The upazila engineer, who has been assigned to monitor the work, said the contractors are giving different excuses for the delay.

The contractors have been given a week to start the work, and if they fail to do so the contract will be cancelled, the engineer said, adding that Sohel Rana, one of the contractors, said they will complete the work soon.