Kawkhali’s Harindhara–Gopalpur Road at Risk of Collapsing into Canal

A road near Harindhara ferry terminal on the western bank of the Sandhya River in Amrajuri Union of Kaukhali Upazila, Pirojpur, has become almost unusable due to severe erosion. The approximately 800-metre road, stretching from the canal bank near the ferry terminal to Sardar Bari Bridge connecting West Gopalpur, is gradually disappearing into the canal.

A visit to the area found that a large section of the road had collapsed into the canal due to a prolonged lack of repair and maintenance. The narrow, dilapidated road is riddled with large potholes. Without urgent repairs and durable piling along the canal bank, the road could disappear completely into the adjacent canal at any time.

The road is a vital communication link for Amrajuri Union. Hundreds of people from at least eight villages, including West Amrajuri, Rongakathi, Gantab, Harindhara, Gopalpur, Hogla and Betkashi, use it every day. Pedestrians, people from different professions, students and teachers are forced to travel along the damaged road at considerable risk. Local residents use this route to reach Harindhara ferry terminal, cross the river and travel to Kaukhali upazila headquarters.

Local resident Md Alaudin and former union parishad member Anil Chandra said, “This road is extremely important for our entire area. We can easily travel to the upazila headquarters using this route. But the road is sinking into the canal. If repairs and piling work do not begin immediately, communication with the eight villages could be completely cut off within a few days.”

Mehedi Hasan, the newly appointed administrator of Amrajuri Union Parishad and upazila ICT officer, acknowledged the poor condition of the road and the suffering of local residents. “I have only recently taken charge as the administrator of this union. I have started looking into the dilapidated and damaged roads across Amrajuri Union. The problems with the Harindhara-Gopalpur road will be examined, and the necessary and timely measures will be taken soon,” he said.