<i>Unending ordeal as promises belied </i>
Thousands of commuters on Satkhira-Khulna highway have been suffering much as the direct road link between Satkhira and Khulna has remained cut since October 2 due to flooding of the road at Mirzapur and Noapara points.
As the road went under water due to overflowing of Kabodak River, vehicles cannot ply the road while Roads and Highways Department has failed to repair the road after over three weeks.
People requiring journey to and come from Satkhira to Khulna, have to cross the inundated road by engine trawlers or boat or rickshaw van paying Tk 10 to 20 each, locals said.
Businessmen and shrimp traders are also suffering a lot as goods carrying trucks cannot ply the road at the inundated points, sources said.
Trucks carrying imported goods from Bhomra land port have to go to Khulna via Jessore and importers have to pay double fares as trucks are to ply 65 km more road, importers said.
Sources said gushing water from silted River Kabodak is flowing about three to four feet high at Mirzapur and Noapara points on Satkhira-Khulna road.
At least 45 villages in Tala upazila have been inundated and about 50,000 people living on the banks of the silted River Kabodak have become marooned as the water overflowing its banks got stagnant in the area.
Local people have urged the government to take measures to repair the road immediately to mitigate their sufferings.
When contacted, Executive Engineer Habibur Rahman of Satkhira Roads and Highways Department said they have written to the higher authorities to sanction fund to repair the inundated road.
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