With dirty water and stink all around, Patuakhali central bus terminal remains a public nuisance for long.

The Local Government Engineering Department built the bus terminal on two acres of land at Kalikapur in the town at a cost ofTk 1.65 crore.

Formally opened in 2008, the terminal beside Patuakhali-Kuakata road was later handed over to Patuakhali municipality

that leases it on yearly basis.

Due to lack of drainage system and faulty sanitation, dirty water comes out, spreading bad smell all around.

The situation worsens during the rains when dirty water floods the compound, said Abul Hossain, a passenger.

"Passengers often decline to enter the terminal due to its bad condition. They want to get on and down from buses on the road and it poses risk of accident,” said Ali Hossain, a bus owner ofPatuakhali.

The problem arises as the terminal has been built without any drainage system, said Golam Maula Dulu, secretary of Patuakhali district bus owners association.

The authorities should take immediate step to solve the problem, said Abu Zafar Khan, manager of bus trans-port agency Sakura Paribahan.

Patuakhali municipality Mayor Dr Md Shafiqul Islam said they are taking steps to solve the problem.