Kamrul Hasan: A human chain was formed in Manikganj demanding the elimination of waterlogging and the immediate repair of the Porra–Nowkhanda connecting road.

On Monday afternoon, local residents organized the program on the Porra–Nowkhanda road under Manikganj Municipality. More than a hundred people took part in the demonstration.

Participants alleged that the nearly four-kilometer-long road connecting the town with the Dhaka–Aricha highway has been in a dilapidated condition for years. Large potholes and ditches have developed in many places, and even a small amount of rainfall causes severe waterlogging, creating immense suffering for commuters.

President of the Municipal Krishak Dal, Oliar Rahman Khan, said, “In the name of development, widespread corruption and looting have taken place over the years. As a result, this vital road has now become unfit for use. If the road is not repaired urgently, the daily life of residents will become even more miserable.” He urged the higher authorities to take immediate steps to repair the road and warned of tougher programs if the demand is ignored.

Local resident Mobarak Hossain said, “This is the only road connecting the area with the town. Although it has been damaged for a long time, no effective measures have been taken to repair it. Thousands of students from four colleges and other educational institutions risk their lives every day traveling along this road. Even members of the RAB camp have to use this road under such hazardous conditions.”

Tobarak Hossain Khan Riad, son of the late Belayet Hossain Khan — founder of Khan Bahadur Awlad Hossain Khan College — said, “We have repeatedly appealed to the authorities for road repairs but received no satisfactory response. Especially for pregnant women or seriously ill patients, traveling on this road to reach hospitals poses a serious risk.”

He added, “We have organized this human chain today to draw attention to our long-standing suffering. We hope the concerned department will take immediate and effective measures to resolve this crisis.”

Local businessmen, teachers, students, and political leaders—all of whom use the road regularly—expressed frustration that no initiative has been taken to repair the road despite its longstanding poor condition.

After the human chain, local residents submitted a memorandum to the municipal administrator and the district commissioner, urging them to ensure the complete repair of the road within the shortest possible time.