10 km Uthuli-Jafarganj Road riddled with many potholes

A 10-kilometre road stretching from Uthuli Bazar to Jafarganj in Shibaloy upazila of Manikganj, has become nearly impassable due to lack of maintenance and repair work for years.

Crucially important for the residents of Shibaloy, Ghior and Daulatpur upazilas, the road once largely facilitated travel of several thousand people, commute of school and college goers, and transport of agricultural merchandise.

The road is now riddled with potholes, cracks, and eroded surfaces at innumerable places due to years of neglect and lack of maintenance, causing immense suffering for commuters.

Vehicles frequently break down after getting stuck in the deep potholes, and it also becomes difficult for them to cross over the damaged potions of the road.

Drivers claim that a significant portion of their earnings is spent on vehicle repairs, all due to the road's poor state. Locals report that the road has not seen any major maintenance work since the 2016-17 fiscal year, almost a decade ago. The lack of repairs has caused significant economic and personal hardships for those who rely on it daily.

Diba Kormokar, a student of Baradia High School, said, "It's tough to go to school using this road. The problem becomes worse on rainy days. The road is so full of potholes that even walking is hard."

Sumaiya Akter, a college student, added, "A 20-minute journey takes more than double the time now. During the rainy season, it's nearly impossible to walk. CNG auto-rickshaws and easy-bikes often break down, causing long delays."

Farmer Ainal Hossain noted that transporting agricultural goods is becoming increasingly difficult. "We can't reach the market on time. The vehicle fare has gone up, and part of our profit is lost just due to transportation delays."

Local traders echoed similar concerns. They said that poor road conditions have led to increased transport costs and delays, creating a supply shortage in the local markets, which is also impacting commodity prices.

Biltu Ghosh, a trader from Uthuli Bazar, said, "There's a large pothole in front of my shop that gets filled with water every time it rains. Accidents happen frequently. This road has been in terrible shape for years, and despite repeated appeals, nothing has changed."

Md Saidur, another trader, said, "Without a good road, business suffers. Goods don't arrive on time, and customers are also declining. We are the worst affected. We request the government to fix this road immediately.'

Fazlu Mia, a CNG-run auto-rickshaw driver, describing his daily struggles, said, "It feels like driving with death. We are forced to drive under risky conditions just to earn a living. One wrong move and the vehicle can overturn. Water gets into the engine, brakes fail, and tires fall into holes. We spend a big part of our income on repairs."

Shah Md Rafiqul Islam, headmaster of Baradia High School, said, "The Uthuli-Jafarganj road is not just a route-it shapes the lives, education, healthcare, and economy of over one lakh people across three upazilas. Its prolonged disrepair is causing acute sufferings and massive economic losses for the local community."

Shibaloy Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Zakir Hossain said, "The road from Uthuli to Jafarganj is indeed in a dilapidated state. It has come to our attention. The road has been included in the July-August 2025 development plan, and repair work will begin soon."

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