Lalmonirhat, July 13 -- More than five decades after Bangladesh achieved independence, residents of around 10 villages in Lalmonirhat's Kaliganj upazila are still waiting for a paved road that they say is vital to their daily lives.

For thousands of people living in Duhuli, Barajan, Shialkhewa and surrounding villages under Chalbala Union the more than two-kilometre stretch connecting Duhuli Bazar with the road leading to Kamalabari Union has remained an earthen track since independence, turning into a muddy nightmare during the monsoon.

Every spell of rain leaves the road submerged in water and covered with thick mud, making travel extremely difficult for pedestrians, motorcycles, vans and other vehicles, said locals.

A recent visit t...