Numerous potholes make 60km road risky

The Sylhet-Tamabil highway in the district has developed numerous small and big potholes, raising the number of accidents on it and adding to commuters' woes.

Many large vehicles, mainly trucks that carry stones from around the district, often get stuck in the potholes creating long tailbacks and blocking traffic for hours together on the highway, a crucial road for business and tourism.

Visiting a 60km stretch of the highway, the news agency found about 20km from Jaflong to Sarighat, two major tourist spots of the country, in a very bad shape.

The potholes were seen on the way to Jaflong, Mamar Dokan, Mohammadpur, Gucchagram, Tamabil land port, Naljuri, Mokambari, Alubagan, Mokampunji, Sripur, Assampara, Rangpani, Biraimara, Changgil Jaintiapur Bazar and Sarighat.

Besides, some big potholes are found at Telijuri, Bagher Sarak, Chiknagul and Shukrobari Bazar, which are around three feet in depth on average.

Locals said they always remain in fear that an accident can happen anytime.

Since there is no other alternative road, vehicles have to ply the Sylhet-Tamabil highway by default.

Motor vehicles that go out of order due to pothole disappointments on the highway take around four hours to two days to get repaired. This puts the motorists and travellers coming to Jaflong and Lalakhal in a precarious state.

It takes two hours to completely drive through the 20km part of the highway, said Mashiur Rahman, a bus driver of the route.

Shafiqul Islam Bikrampuri, proprietor of Khuda Restaurant in Jaflong, expressed anger over the poor condition of Sylhet-Tamabil highway.