|| Khaled Ahmed, Pabna: A proposal to widen three major roads in Pabna town into four-lane corridors has been put forward by Pabna-5 lawmaker Advocate Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas in a bid to address the town's worsening traffic congestion.The proposed road expansion is aimed at reducing chronic traffic jams that have become a daily ordeal, particularly during office and school hours, causing delays, disrupting business activities and increasing public inconvenience.According to the proposal, the first phase involves expanding the road from Chok Chatiani Mosque through Chok Chatiani Graveyard to the Pabna-Ishwardi Highway near Baliahalt Model Mosque.The second phase covers the stretch from Chandmari Intersection to Power House Intersection via Pailanpur Intersection, while the third phase proposes widening the road from the Bus Terminal through Mujahid Club, Ananta Cinema Hall and Hamid Road to Gachpara Intersection.Local stakeholders have welcomed the initiative, describing it as a long-awaited step towards solving one of the district town's most pressing urban challenges.Pabna Truck Owners' Group President Mozammel Haque Kabir said the proposal was timely and expressed optimism that the project would be implemented soon through the MP's efforts.Pabna Press Club President Akhtaruzzaman Akhtar said residents had endured severe traffic congestion for years, adding that even pedestrians often struggle to move through Hamid Road, the town's principal thoroughfare.He noted that despite rapid population growth, increasing commercial activities and a sharp rise in the number of vehicles, Hamid Road has seen little expansion since the district was established. He also suggested establishing planned rickshaw stands across the town to further ease congestion.Business leader Ruhul Amin Biswas Rana said Hamid Road serves nearly three million people in the district and has become heavily congested. He added that once the four-lane project is completed, heavy vehicles travelling to and from the BSCIC industrial estate would be able to use bypass roads, significantly reducing traffic pressure inside the town.Pabna District Mohila Dal President Purnima Islam said the road from the Bus Terminal to Gachpara is one of the busiest routes in the town and widening it would greatly benefit commuters.Drivers of rickshaws, auto-rickshaws, CNG-run vehicles, buses and local traders also expressed support for the proposal, saying the expanded roads would improve traffic flow and reduce travel time.However, officials cautioned that implementation of the project will require technical feasibility studies, detailed design, land acquisition, administrative approvals and adequate funding.Pabna Deputy Commissioner Aminul Islam said Hamid Road, the district's main artery, has become virtually dysfunctional due to persistent traffic congestion and urgently needs widening.He said the issue has already been brought to the government's attention and a stakeholder meeting will be held soon. Following preliminary assessments, the proposal will be sent to the relevant ministry for consideration.Executive Engineer of the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) in Pabna, Md. Monsurul Aziz, said the lawmaker has held several meetings with senior officials regarding the project. He added that a letter has been sent to the power distribution authorities and work on preparing the road design is currently in progress.Officials said the project's eventual implementation will depend on the outcome of technical assessments, design approval, land acquisition and the government's final decision on financing.