In Bogura, hurried road repairs ahead of the Eid festivities have caused widespread traffic congestion along the city’s main Satmatha–Banani thoroughfare, particularly in the Koloni Bazar area. Authorities have removed existing asphalt surfacing on otherwise well-maintained sections to lay reinforced cement concrete (RCC), reducing vehicular movement to a single lane for nearly three weeks. Drivers, passengers, and pedestrians are facing prolonged delays and mounting frustration.
A site visit on Sunday revealed that the road section from Thonthonia Bhai Paglar Mazar to Koloni Bazar has been excavated along one side for RCC paving. Traffic is moving slowly, and the high volume of vehicles ahead of Eid has led to frequent, long-lasting jams.
According to the Road and Highway Department, the renovation covers an 8.67-kilometre stretch from Banani to Matidali, with an estimated cost of BDT 23.89 crore. The work order was issued last December, but the contractor cited the national parliamentary elections in January as the reason for the delay in starting. Officials maintain that the project will be completed on schedule. The contract was awarded to Bhawal Engineers and Construction Limited, linked to BNP MP Fakhr Uddin Ahmed of Mymensingh-11 (Valuka).
Project Overview
| Road Section | Length (km) | Budget (BDT crore) | Contractor | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banani – Matidali | 8.67 | 23.89 | Bhawal Engineers & Construction Ltd | Partial lane open; RCC paving ongoing |
Local residents and business operators have raised concerns about the necessity of the works. The Satmatha–Banani–Matidali corridor, approximately 10 kilometres long, was generally in good condition with minimal potholes. Seasonal waterlogging occurs in some low-lying areas due to inadequate drainage, but many argue that constructing proper drains should have preceded any major resurfacing.
Selim Hossain, an auto-rickshaw driver on the Satmatha–Sherpur route, remarked, “The road was fine before. Now, a 300-metre journey can take up to half an hour because of these pre-Eid repairs.”
Traffic Inspector Salekuzzaman Khan noted that during Eid, traffic volume multiplies several times on city roads. In addition to long-distance buses and trucks, thousands of private cars, auto-rickshaws, e-rickshaws, and ambulances traverse this route. The ongoing repairs, which restrict traffic to one lane, have intensified bottlenecks, particularly at Koloni Bazar, with drivers attempting to bypass jams often causing additional congestion.
Project supervisor Md. Sharifuzzaman explained that work could not commence earlier due to elections, but delays are being managed to meet the August 28 completion deadline. Abul Monsur Ahmed, Executive Engineer of the Bogura Road and Highway Department, confirmed that the works are necessary and that both lanes will reopen promptly upon completion.