In the wake of heavy rain, the Linden-Lethem road has badly deteriorated forcing the major bus service on that route to suspend its operations.
Intraserv Incorporated, which operates on the Georgetown-Lethem route has suspended its operations with immediate effect due to the poor condition of the road, a notice in the newspapers informed. The notice said that as soon as conditions improve, service shall be resumed.
An informed source, with intimate knowledge of the roadway, described the condition of the road as “terrible and deplorable”. The source said that the potholes on the road were getting deeper and deeper as more rain falls in the interior and this was aggravated due to there being no drains to allow the water to run off. ‘It looks like a lake and you have no idea of how deep it is”, the source said.
Stabroek News was informed that vehicles traversing the route have had persons getting out and testing the depth of the water-filled potholes before driving through. According to the source, the worst patch of road was between Mabura and Kurupukari with two spots on that section a virtual trap.
This newspaper has learnt that a bus belonging to Intraserv, which operates 45-seater buses, had broken down on the trail since July 11 and although attempts had been made to repair it, due to the extent of the damage, this proved impossible and arrangements have been made to have it towed out of the area.
This newspaper was told too that trucks laden with fuel, goods and lumber had contributed to the deterioration of the roadway.
Meanwhile, Lethem residents while stating that there was no immediate effect on them yet expressed concern, noting that previously, when the road had deteriorated in the rainy season, the supply of goods, fuel and other items coming from the city had been severely restricted.
MMC has the responsibility for up-keeping a portion of the road and is reportedly trying to effect repairs.
However, according to the source, the portion with major deterioration is not the responsibility of that company and the Ministry of Works has been informed of the situation.
Stabroek News was told too that several “big” buses from Brazil were expected to make the overland journey to Guyana for Carifesta and they would have to travel through the said trail but in light of the current state of the road, concern has been expressed about whether this is possible.
