The only road that connects Mirzaganj upazila to Patuakhali district town is being damaged due to movement of overloaded trucks and cargo vans.
Subidkhali-Payraganj road, which was repaired less than a year ago, has developed numerous potholes and cracks, and also subsided at many points, causing immense sufferings for local people and drivers of small vehicles.
Locals said overloaded vehicles are plying the road without permission. It seems there is none to see the matter.
Sources said overloaded trucks and cargo vans are using Subidkhali-Payraganj road to enter the district town through Payrakunja Ferry. The heavy vehicles are using the route to dodge additional tolls as there are weighing scales on Pyra bridge at Lebukhali of Barishal-Patuakhali-Kuakata highway.
Small vehicles like auto-bikes, easy-bikes, richshaw and motorcycles often face accidents due to poor condition of the road.
According to rules, it is prohibited to transport goods weighing more than 8.2 tonnes on the upazila and union level roads. But in actuality, vehicles weighing 25-30 tonnes are plying the road, locals said.
Mirzaganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Tariqul Islam said that he discussed the matter with the Deputy Commissioner and will raise the issue again at the next coordination meeting.
Patuakhali Roads and Highways Department Executive Engineer AM Atiq Ullah said they informed the higher authorities about repairing the road.