Md. Kabir Hossain, Bhola : A hazardous section of the road adjacent to the culvert at the entrance of the Mirzakalu Fish Landing Station in Khasmahal Bazar area of Hasan Nagar Union under Borhanuddin Upazila in Bhola is being repaired with personal funds by chairman candidate and former general secretary of Hasan Nagar Union BNP, Md. Nazrul Hawlader.
A visit to the site on Saturday morning revealed that large potholes had developed on both sides of the road near the culvert due to severe soil erosion caused by the tidal waters of the Meghna River. The damaged section had become extremely risky for commuters and transport vehicles. Repair work, including earth filling and protective measures using geo-bags, an excavator, and local laborers, was underway.
According to local sources, the road had remained in a dangerous condition for nearly a month. Continuous erosion caused by the Meghna River’s tidal currents had created deep cavities beside the culvert, but no effective repair initiative had been taken during that period.
As a result, fishermen, fish traders, commission agents, transport operators, and local residents using the fish landing station were facing severe difficulties every day.
Residents said the deteriorating condition of the road threatened transportation to one of the oldest fish landing stations in Borhanuddin Upazila. Hundreds of fishermen, wholesalers, traders, and transport vehicles visit the landing station daily for the buying and selling of hilsa and other varieties of fish. The hazardous road posed a serious threat to fish trading worth millions of taka and the livelihoods of thousands of people.
In view of the public hardship, Nazrul Hawlader took the initiative to repair the damaged road section at his own expense.
Among those present during the work were Md. Rubel Kazi, joint general secretary of Borhanuddin Upazila Jubo Dal; Abdur Rab Dalal, vice-president of Hasan Nagar Union BNP; and Md. Nirab, a member candidate from Ward No. 5 of Hasan Nagar Union, along with other local dignitaries.
Local residents expressed relief after the repair work began, saying that the Mirzakalu Fish Landing Station is closely linked to the local economy and that the damaged road had caused widespread concern for nearly a month. They praised Nazrul Hawlader for taking prompt action.
They also urged the authorities to undertake a permanent and sustainable protection project considering the economic importance of the fish landing station.
Speaking to reporters, chairman candidate Md. Nazrul Hawlader said that during recent flood conditions, tidal currents from the Meghna River washed away soil from both sides of the road near the culvert, creating large potholes and severely disrupting transportation to the fish landing station.
He said he informed Bhola-2 Member of Parliament Alhaj Hafiz Ibrahim about the matter. Following this, the MP instructed the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) to inspect the site. Officials from the upazila administration visited the area and advised him to continue temporary repair work with his own funds while assuring that permanent measures would be considered later.
Hawlader added that he had started the repair work at his own expense in the interest of the public and to reduce the suffering of local residents and those dependent on the fish landing station.
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