MAJORITY of the roads in the Port city Chittagong have developed large craters owing to the recent rains, jeopardising vehicular movement and putting commuters in peril. Moreover, innumerable small to large potholes developed and asphalt eroded away in many parts. Citing a rickshaw puller, an English daily reported on Sunday, “it is very difficult to pull rickshaw on these dilapidated roads.” A commuter told the same daily, “I remain in constant fear thinking of when the vehicles I ride on get upside down due to the cracks and potholes.” Public sufferings apart, engines of most of the vehicles get damaged as they are to regularly ply on the road. CNG-run auto-rickshaws are worst sufferer in this condition.It seems that poor quality of work in road construction is responsible for their terrible state. The contractors who worked for construction of these roads might present their argument that, they had to pay extra money to get work order, to continue work, to complete it and to collect payment. So they were compelled to make compromise on quality. Chittagong City Corporation official’s version is, that temporary repair work of the roads is going on so that people can use them for the time being. It is not possible to start the full-fledged renovation work during the monsoon. It means there is no possibility of improvement of the road condition of Chittagong City before monsoon is over. The official also mentioned that they (Chittagong City Corporation) could not embark upon major renovation work as such in the last five years primarily due to shortage of fund.Chittagong is the second largest city and main sea-port of Bangladesh. Moreover it is known as the commercial capital of our country. Export-import-related hectic activities in and around Chittagong City are playing prime role to keep the wheel of our economy moving. So, easy transport facility is a must for Chittagong not only for the comfort of the local residents, but for the benefit of our economic activities also. Moreover, the residents of second largest city of Bangladesh have the right to enjoy safe transport system. They pay taxes to get urban facilities. Cracks and potholes did not create all on a sudden or within few days. It is the result of long negligence of City Corporation. This unmindfulness is not a welcome symptom. We want quick repair to remove suffering of the people.
