Most parts of Akbar Shah Section-2 Road in Chikdair Union under Chattogram’s Raozan upazila is in very bad shape, leading to immense sufferings for thousands of passengers who travel on this road every day. Despite its significance as a main rural connector, no significant renovation effort has been undertaken, raising concern and frustration among the affected communities. A field visit revealed that a one-kilometer stretch of the road—from the Chikdair Union Parishad premises to Karam Ali Haji Bari Tek—is nearly unusable. Part of the road has collapsed due to erosion from the adjacent Sorta canal, while the remaining portion is filled with large potholes and muddy craters because of damaged brick soling. The situation worsens during the rainy season, leaving the road submerged and impassable.
Locals say that the road is used daily by thousands commuting to Chikdair Haque Bazar, the Union Parishad office, Raozan upazila sadar, as well as surrounding areas such as Dabuya, Noajispur, Gahira and Fatikchhari. However, due to the existing condition, motorised transport is no longer viable and even rickshaws and vans face serious risk navigating the road.
Mohammad Azam, a local resident, said that stagnant rainwater accumulates in deep potholes, disrupting both pedestrians and vehicular movement. Rickshaw puller Abul Kalam shared that they are forced to travel at great risk, with vehicle damage and accidents becoming frequent.
In 2023, the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) initiated incomplete development of the road under a government project. However, the contractor abandoned the work midway, leaving the road unrepaired for nearly two years.
Upazila Engineer Abul Kalam acknowledged the delay and said the pending work will soon be completed. He added that a proposal for renovating the remaining portion has been submitted to the ministry and work will commence once funds are allocated.
