A 17-kilometre stretch of Chandpur-Cumilla regional highway, from Hajiganj to Khajuria, is in dilapidated condition, causing significant hardship for the people who use the highway every day.
There are large potholes and numerous ditches on the section of the highway. Drivers and passengers complain about the poor condition of the road, saying that frequent accidents occur due to the heavy traffic. A journey that should take one hour from Chandpur to Cumilla now takes nearly three hours.
These potholes on the raod are 2 to 4 feet wide and 3 to 6 inches in depth. Accumulated bitumen in some spots has formed mounds, and overgrown bushes on both sides of the road have left no sidewalks for pedestrians.
Transport drivers reported that vehicles, including buses, trucks, CNG-run auto rickshaws, motorcycles, and private cars, frequently fall into these potholes, causing accidents. The pavement has eroded, and loose stones and bricks are scattered, making it difficult for vehicles to brake without skidding. This has rendered the 17-kilometer section nearly unfit for traffic. Despite these issues, the authorities have yet to take steps to repair the road.
CNG-run auto rickshaw driver Jahangir Hossain said the large potholes damage the vehicles, making them almost impossible to drive, which often leads to accidents.
Local bus driver Mizan Khan sid many vehicles from Lakshmipur, Noakhali, Bhola, and Chattogram use this road via Chandpur, adding to the traffic pressure. The poor condition of the road has turned it into a trap for accident.
Rahman Khan, a driver of the Baghdad bus service, expressed his frustration saying I travel the Chandpur-Cumilla road four times daily. The stretch from Khajuria to Uaruk is in terrible condition. Vehicle springs and steering joints get damaged due to the potholes, and sometimes vehicles fall into ditches. Both drivers and passengers are suffering. The road urgently needs repair.
Pickup driver Zahir Uddin added, the authorities don’t carry out quality repairs. Additionally, no maintenance has been done on this road for a long time. Large potholes have now formed, and even with cautious driving, accidents still occur.
A local student, Apon, emphasized, traffic on this road is increasing every day, and the number of potholes is also growing. The road should be expanded to four lanes, which would benefit everyone.
Sub-Divisional Engineer of the Chandpur Roads and Highways Department, Wasimuddin Ahmed, said, the road has been heavily damaged due to flooding and excessive rainfall. We have carried out repairs with our available resources, but it’s not enough. A proposal for repair work has been sent and approved. The Comilla office has issued a tender, and work will begin after the evaluation process.
