Residents suffer as roads in Satkhira city turn into craters

Residents of Satkhira municipality are enduring a long-standing issue of dilapidated roads and severe waterlogging, particularly during the monsoon season. The road stretching from the Satkhira Post Office intersection to the Satkhira Government College and further to the old Satkhira market is in a state of disrepair, with numerous protests from the district civic committee for renovation.

The Member of Parliament (MP) from Satkhira Sadar constituency has raised the issue in the parliament, yet the road has sunk due to natural monsoon rains, leading to waterlogging at the Satkhira Government College ground. Passers-by are experiencing extreme hardship, and the situation is not limited to this road alone; all internal roads are in a similar state of disrepair.

From Satkhira Day-Night College Mor to Chalatetla Bazar, and further to Kukhralli, Garder Kanda, Kamalnagar, Itagacha, Polashpol, Munjitpur, Sultanpur, Mehedibag, Baddipur, Katia, and Rasulpur, the roads are in deplorable condition. The monsoon rains have washed away the mud and flesh of these roads, leaving only bricks behind. This has exacerbated the suffering of the citizens during the rainy season.

Satkhira city has been inundated due to natural rains, with deceptive waterlogging causing distress among residents. Hundreds of families have been trapped due to waterlogging, with no measures for drainage taken by the Satkhira Municipal Council. Common farmers with low incomes are severely affected.

Ali Nur Khan Babul, joint secretary of the Satkhira District Civic Committee, described the plight of the residents, highlighting the poor condition of the main road from the Satkhira Circuit House Mor to the bus terminal Khulna Road. He noted that during the rains, it seems as if the roads have disappeared into the sea, with dirty water from drains mixing with rainwater near the roadsides.

CPI leader Comrade Abul Hossen pointed out the lack of a drainage system in Satkhira, stating that even light rains lead to waterlogging. He also mentioned the impact of unplanned fish ponds in Kamalnagar area on traffic. College teacher Idris Ali added that most of the city's roads and streets have been submerged in just a few days of normal rain, with almost one-third of the municipal area underwater.

Advocate Al Mahmud Palash of Kamalnagar area expressed frustration over the annual occurrence of water accumulation on the roads, with no effective drainage system in place. Abul Kalam Azad, secretary of the Satkhira District Civic Committee, emphasized the need for a drainage system to prevent waterlogging during light rains.

Acting Mayor Firoz Hasan acknowledged the lack of major allocations for the municipal council, stating that some small allocations are occasionally used for cleaning drains in some wards. He announced a project worth Tk 3 crore for road and drainage work, which is expected to commence soon, with large pits on the road of Satkhira Government College already being filled with bricks.

The residents of Satkhira are in desperate need of infrastructural improvements. Persistent waterlogging and poorly maintained roads have caused severe inconvenience, impacting daily life and mobility. The upcoming project promises relief, but immediate actions are crucial to alleviate the current suffering and prevent future hardships.