Shabby road to Shalban Bihar, Mainamati drives tourists away

The awful condition of around two and half kilometres of road stretching from Cumilla Kotbari to Cumilla University in Sadar upazila is causing immense sufferings to local people as well as discouraging tourists to visit different archeological sites, including Shalban Buddhist Bihar and Mainamati Museum.

University students, tourists and local people have to face problems as vehicular movement on this road has become difficult due to numerous potholes and cracks.

Besides, the famous archeological spots are losing attraction to visitors due to the shabby road condition as the road is the only entrance to the historical sites.

Ataur Rahman, regional director of Department of Archeology(Chattogram and Sylhet divisions), said the number of tourists has been decreasing day by day due to the shabby condition of the road.

This year, the authorities concerned set a target to earn Tk 1.5 crore revenue from Shalban Bihar and Mainamati Museum but it fell short of the target by Tk 50 lakh due to the sorry state of the road,” he said.

During a recent visit to the road stretching from Cumilla Polytechnic Institute to Cumilla University, the UNB correspondent found that numerous small size potholes and cracks have developed on the road while there are 30 big potholes on it.

Vehicles, including auto-rickshaws and human-haulers , cannot run on the road as those often get stuck on the potholes and overturned.

Passengers are often seen pushing up their stuck vehicles for reaching their destinations.

Locals said there are many tourists spots in the district, including Shalban Bihar, Cumilla University, Mainamati Museum, Itakhola Mura, Rupban Mura, Latikot Mura, Cumilla Cadet College, Lalmai Hill and Dinosaur Park, and the road is the only means to go those tourist spots.

Mitali and Mariam, two students of Cumilla University, said they have to cross the road every day amid fear of possible accidents.

They also demanded immediate steps to renovate the road.

Mustafizur Rahman, a tourist who came here with his family members to visit the archeological sites of the district, said, “I’m on my way to Shalban Buddist Bihar and Mainamati Museum with my family members but now it seems impossible to reach there as the road condition is very bad.”

Tariqul Islam Rony, a resident of No 24 ward of the city corporation area, said the road has been lying unrepaired for long but the local administration did not take any initiative to make it fit for plying of vehicles and the movement of pedestrians.

Anupam Barua, chief executive officer of Cumilla City Corporation, said the renovation work on the road will start soon as a tender has been floated for the job.