The Main Road of Barapukuria Coal Mine and Thermal Power Plant in a Dilapidated Condition.

Mohinul Islam Sujon, Crime Reporter. The important main road of the Barapukuria Coal Mine and Thermal Power Plant in Parbatipur upazila of Dinajpur has been in a dilapidated condition for a long time due to lack of repair. The carpeting has come off at various places on the road, creating numerous small and large potholes. In some places, the bitumen layer has come off, exposing the soil underneath. Even a little rain causes water to accumulate in these potholes and creates mud, making movement of vehicles and pedestrians extremely risky. Local people complain that they have been suffering severely every day as this important road has not been repaired for a long time. Ordinary people, students, businessmen, passengers and drivers of goods-carrying vehicles are among those facing difficulties. The potholes on the road become even more dangerous, especially at night. A visit to the spot found that approximately 300 feet of the road from the Barapukuria Coal Mine gate through the railway crossing to the Barapukuria Police Outpost and Three Roads Junction, as well as another approximately 200 feet toward the Thermal Power Plant, have developed cracks, breaks and potholes at various points. In some places, the bitumen has come off, while large potholes have formed in others. As rainwater accumulates and remains mixed with the damaged surface, it becomes difficult to understand the depth of the potholes. Every day, people from the Barapukuria Coal Mine, Thermal Power Plant, market and surrounding areas use this road. In addition, passenger buses, trucks, pickup vans, auto-rickshaws and motorcycles carrying goods and passengers travel through this road to Parbatipur, Phulbari, Madhyapara, Saidpur, Dinajpur, Rangpur and Nilphamari, among various other areas. According to local people, vehicles often get stuck near the railway crossing, while the poor condition of the road creates a risk of accidents. The situation becomes more complicated, especially when heavy vehicles are moving. Mohammad Zahir Bania, a businessman at Barapukuria Bazar, said that a case has been going on for a long time with the Roads and Highways Department over ownership of approximately eight decimals of land in a section of the road. According to him, a case regarding the matter involving Dr. Swapan, a permanent resident of Majidpur village under Shibnagar Union, is currently pending before the High Court. Although the landowner is willing to provide the land, the problem is not being resolved because the Roads and Highways Department has not acquired or purchased the land through the government process. Ashraful Haque, a bus driver on the Parbatipur-Phulbari road, said, “It is very difficult to drive a vehicle on this road. When it rains, water accumulates in the potholes. There is a risk of damage if the vehicle falls into a pothole. The risk increases further at night.” Mohammad Harunur Rashid Mukul, proprietor of M/s James Traders at Barapukuria Bazar, said, “The condition of the road is so bad that even travelling by motorcycle is difficult. Parents also have to take risks when travelling with their children to educational institutions.” Local residents said that the Barapukuria Coal Mine and Thermal Power Plant are important industrial establishments of the country. A large number of people and heavy vehicles travel through the area every day. Therefore, if the road is not repaired quickly, there is a risk of major accidents. When asked about the repair of the road, Dinajpur Roads and Highways Department Executive Engineer Mohammad Asaduzzaman said that the repair work has become complicated due to a long-standing case over ownership of land in a section of the road. He further said, “The case is currently pending before the High Court. The landowner has been obstructing work by the Roads and Highways Department on that land. The RHD has approximately six feet of land. Attempts have also been made to sit locally to resolve the matter.” The Executive Engineer further said that although there is an allocation for the repair work, it has not yet been possible to invite a tender due to the land-related complication. The matter has also been informed to the concerned ministry. Meanwhile, a recent report revealed information about the same road in the Barapukuria railway crossing area being in a dilapidated condition and the work remaining stalled due to an ownership-related case with the Roads and Highways Department over approximately eight decimals of land. Local residents, businessmen and transport drivers have demanded that the road be repaired quickly to ensure safe movement of vehicles and pedestrians.