Residents of Naogaon town are facing significant difficulties due to deteriorating road conditions and persistent waterlogging after even light rainfall. Many roads in the area have suffered from damage that, in some cases, dates back nearly a decade, leaving surfaces eroded and potholes filled with rainwater that obscure their depth.

Several streets, including Tajer Mor, Kalitala, Palpara, Sultanpara, Gosthati Mor, Ukilpara, Chakbaria, and Doyaler Mor, were observed to have extensive damage ranging from completely eroded pavement to sizable potholes. Accumulated rainwater further complicates navigation, forcing vehicles to slow down and frequently causing traffic congestion.

The poor state of the roads has had a direct impact on daily life, particularly for vulnerable groups such as patients, pregnant women, students, and the elderly. Drivers of battery-powered rickshaws, CNG-run vehicles, and traditional rickshaws often avoid heavily damaged routes, leading to difficulties for residents even when willing to pay higher fares.

Sazzad Hossain, the executive engineer of Naogaon Municipality, explained that the municipality, which covers an area of 39 square kilometers and hosts a population of roughly 200,000, was established in 1963. It was upgraded to a second-class municipality in 1980 and achieved first-class status in 1989. The town currently has about 300 kilometers of roads: approximately 150 kilometers are paved, 50 kilometers are semi-paved, and 100 kilometers remain unpaved.

According to Sazzad, nearly 80 percent of the town’s roads are in need of repair. The deteriorated infrastructure is not only hampering normal travel but also delaying emergency services, posing a risk to residents’ safety and well-being.

Efforts to address the issue have not been detailed, leaving residents to contend with the ongoing challenges posed by Naogaon’s poor road conditions and inadequate drainage.