Construction of a drain and a road from Pabna New Market to Boro Bazar is causing immense suffering to people shopping for the upcoming Eid.

Pabna municipality started construction before the month of Ramadan and the work is still going on, stopping vehicular movement on the busy market road and causing severe problems for shoppers.

Banker Shaira Ahmed went to Pabna New Market for Eid shopping on Saturday with her two children, but they returned home without shopping due to the sorry state of the road.

"Construction materials are piled up in front of New Market and there is no room for pedestrians to move easily. We cannot go to the market with our families as the construction work is going on," said Jakir Hossain, a trader in the district headquarters.

Sujon Hossain, owner of Taal Fashion House, told this correspondent that many customers have stopped coming to the New Market and adjacent markets for Eid shopping due to the bad state of the road.

"Construction of the road and a drain makes us happy, but it is hampering Eid shopping, which is causing dismay among the shopkeepers in New Market area," Sujon said.

Municipality Executive Engineer Tabibur Rahman told this correspondent that it will take more time to finish the Tk 28 crore construction work.

"This is one of the key development projects of the municipality and is likely to end by December this year as the work will be extended to another key road," Tabibur said.