Rundown road to Shalban Bihar, Mainamati drives away tourists

The awful condition of road drives tourists away from Shalban Bihar and Mainamati in Cumilla. Photo: UNB
The awful condition of road drives tourists away from Shalban Bihar and Mainamati in Cumilla. Photo: UNB

The awful condition of around two and a 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 from visiting different archaeological sites, including Shalban Buddhist Bihar and Mainamati Museum.

University students, tourists and local people have to face problems as potholes and cracks on this road have made the vehicular movement difficult.
Besides, the famous archaeological spots are losing attraction to visitors due to the dilapidated road as it is the only way to the historical sites.

Ataur Rahman, regional director of Department of Archaeology (Chattogram and Sylhet divisions), said the number of tourists has been decreasing gradually due to the rundown road.

“This year the authorities concerned set a target to earn Tk 15 million as revenue from the Shalban Bihar and Mainamati Museum but the target fell short by Tk five million,” he said.

During a recent visit to the road stretching from Cumilla Polytechnic Institute to Cumilla University, the UNB correspondent found that small and large potholes and cracks have developed on the road.

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

Passengers are often seen pushing up their stuck vehicles to reach their destinations.

Locals said there are many tourist 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.

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 archaeological sites of the district, said, “I’m going to the Shalban Buddist Bihar and Mainamati Museum 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 task.