District Correspondent, Sylhet: In Sunamganj’s Jagannathpur upazila, 70 kilometers of roads damaged by the floods of 2022 and 2024 remain unrepaired. While repair work has started on about 12 kilometers of damaged roads, 70 kilometers of vital roads are still awaiting approval for repair. According to the Upazila Engineer’s Office, tenders for approximately nine bridges damaged by the floods have been processed.
The lack of road repairs over the past three years has caused severe inconvenience for vehicles and the general public. Roads like Kolkolia-Telikona (Chandidhahar) and Sadipur Point, damaged by the 2022 floods, are riddled with cracks and potholes. The 7-kilometer Jagannathpur-Begumpur road has become almost impassable. Other critical roads, such as Achimpur-Shibganj Road, Jalalpur Road, Raniganj-Bagmoyna Road, Syedpur, and Sriramsi-Nayabandar roads (5.5 km), are also in poor condition. Most of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) roads have become unsuitable for vehicles due to numerous potholes. In addition, most brick-surfaced and dirt roads are damaged, and during the rainy season, these roads become even more hazardous.
Nazim Uddin, acting chairman of Pailgaon Union Parishad, said, “Our critical roads, like the Jagannathpur-Begumpur road, have broken sections and numerous small and large potholes. The lack of repairs has made commuting difficult for residents of our region. Many LGED roads in Pailgaon Union are yet to be repaired.”
Delwar Hossain from Kolkolia said, “None of the roads damaged by the floods over the past three years have been repaired. Around 10 kilometers of roads are in terrible condition. Traveling on these broken roads is painful, but we have no other choice.”
Hasan Ali from Sriramsi village in Mirpur Union said, “Years pass, and we only hear that tenders for the damaged roads have been issued, but no work is done. With the rainy season approaching, potholes on broken roads will fill with water and become dangerous.”
Lilu Mia from Bagmoyna village in Raniganj said, “Our only road has been repeatedly damaged by floods, but it has never been repaired. We face significant difficulties traveling by vehicle.”
Delwar Hossain from Kolkolia added, “Traveling on broken roads has become a norm for us. During rains, water accumulates in the potholes from Kolkolia to Chandidhahar Road, forcing locals to take risks while commuting.”
Residents of the upazila urge that the broken roads be repaired before the upcoming rainy season.
Jagannathpur Upazila Engineer Sohrab Hossain said, “In 2022, around 85 kilometers of roads and several bridges in Jagannathpur Upazila were damaged. A list of these damaged roads was sent to the headquarters in 2022 to expedite the repair process. However, as several districts, including Sylhet, suffered significant road and bridge damage during the floods, collecting data and launching projects took until 2023. During this time, nine bridges and some roads in Jagannathpur received approval for repairs. Unfortunately, the floods of 2024 delayed our ability to fully start the repair works.”
He added, “In 2025, several repair works received approval, and we have started working on them. These include 2 kilometers in the municipal area and Chilaura-Haldipur Union, 2.5 kilometers on the Jagannathpur-Shibganj Road, and 3 kilometers from Jagannathpur-Keshabpur to Eralia Bazaar. Tenders have also been awarded for 4 kilometers of road from Eralia to Lama Rasulpur. Repair work will continue across various roads, and tenders for the damaged bridges have been completed, with contractors appointed. While repairs might not start before the rainy season, they will begin immediately afterward.”
