Roads and Highways Department (RHD) has decided to build concrete road on an 8-kilometre stretch of Khulna-Satkhira highway from Zero Point to Atharomile.
In the first phase, the construction work on 1,150-metre section from zero point to rail line and 1,200-metre portion at Chuknagar, out of the total 33-kilometre highway, is now in progress. To build RCC road on 2,350-metre stretch, the government has allocated Tk 27 crore in the last fiscal year (2024-25).
Khulna Roads and Highways Department Executive Engineer Md. Tanimul Haque said that a project proposal was also sent to the high-ups, seeking allocation of Tk 100 crore for building roller-compacted concrete (RCC) road on an 8-kilometre section of Khulna-Satkhira highway. Out of the total amount, Tk 75 crore has been allocated in the initial stage.
The proposal was sent keeping in mind that RCC road would be much more durable in the southwestern region.
The Khulna Roads and Highways Department said that 17- kilometre stretch of the road is in bad shape. Of the total, 8-kilometre road has been damaged severely.
Md. Tanvir Siddique, Superintendent Engineer of Road Design and Safety Circle of the Roads and Highways Department, visited the Khulna-Satkhira highway on October 18.
In light of the report submitted by him, the Roads and Highways Department has decided to construct RCC road on the 6-kilometre stretch.
In 2020, Mozahar Enterprises completed carpeting work on the highway at a cost of Tk 130 crore. Due to the use of low-quality materials and overloading of goods-carrying vehicles, the highway was damaged in a short time.
As a result, Khulna-Satkhira highway has turned into a death trap. Numerous potholes have developed on the highway, causing road accidents. The highway is now completely unfit for vehicular movement due to the pressure of excessive vehicles.
Long traffic congestion at Mongla and Bhomra land ports, and movement of thousands of vehicles are making life miserable. The number of deaths in road accidents is also increasing.
Khulna Civil Society Secretary General Babul Howlader said the Khulna-Satkhira Highway has direct links with Mongla Port, Bhomra Land Port, Barisal, Bhola and even with Dhaka. “We demand that the government allocate adequate funds as soon as possible for the construction of a sustainable road.”
Khulna Development Society (KDS) President Abdus Salam Shimul said that even though the construction work of concrete road starts from the zero point, gaps are being left at times. “This will not make the road sustainable. Moreover, if there is no water drainage system, including sidewalks, the road will be damaged again.”
He further said, “We hope that the Roads and Highways Department will start the construction work quickly, keeping these issues in mind.
“Otherwise, we will launch a movement soon with the civil society leaders in Khulna,” he warned.
