Despite the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) responsible for improving its roads across the country, around 2,100km — 10.36 per cent of all surveyed roads — are still in poor, bad or very bad condition. Lack of budgetary allocation for timely maintenance, and poor construction materials are the major reasons behind the poor conditions.
Around Tk 6,295 crore would be required in the next fiscal year for repairing roads, bridges and culverts. However, the RHD is going to get Tk 3,500 crore — only half the allocation needed — in the next fiscal year for maintenance. According to the department, there are 22,428km of national and regional highways and district roads under its jurisdiction across the country.
According to a survey conducted by RHD, 20,072km (89.50 per cent) of roads were surveyed this year, excluding those roads under rehabilitation or reconstruction work. The survey found 1,128km of road (5.62 per cent) in poor condition, 493km (2.46 per cent) in bad condition and 457km (2.28 per cent) in very bad condition.
Once a road is classified as “very bad”, it needs immediate attention. While a “bad” road also needs attention, without which it would turn into a very bad one next year. If anyone travels on a “poor road”, they would take a relatively longer time to reach their destination and be less comfortable during travel.
Experts opined that the RHD should conduct road surveys in short intervals and repair the roads as per necessity.
As overloading of vehicles is a major cause behind the damage of roads, the authorities should execute the relevant laws strictly. Despite huge investments most roads are constructed with poor materials and become dilapidated easily. The government must stop such corruption and wasting of public money and should be accountable for their deeds and corruption.
