Still unfit for traffic

Rangamati-Khagrachhari link road, which was damaged by landslide on June 13, is still unfit for vehicular movement, much to the suffering of the commuters.

This correspondent visited the spot on Tuesday and saw commuters walking on the road that was completely destroyed at two points and damaged in 25 to 30 places.

Md Jahangir, 35, from Mohalchhari upazila of Khagrachhari said he was going to Rangamati. “It is very hard to walk on the road and it should be repaired soon,” he added.

Dipok Chakma, a shopkeeper at Kutukchhari bazar, said he cannot carry goods to his shop as the link road is badly damaged.

Assistant Teacher of Mauroom High School in Kutukchhari union Rupam Chakma said the students do not come to the school regularly due to the difficulties they face on the road.

Hanyaraam Chakma and Modhulal Chakma of Moantola Hijing village in Rangamati Sadar upazila said they do not know how long it will take to repair the road. Students face problems every day while going to their institutions along the damaged road, they added.

Italy Chakma, a student of Rangamati Government College, said she used to go to college by CNG auto-rickshaw from her village, but now she has to walk nearly three km on the damaged link road.

Krishno Kumar Chakma, work assistant of Roads and Highways Department (RHD) in Rangamati, said they are trying to make the link road fit for vehicular movement, but they cannot work properly due to heavy rain. They will finish the work in around one week if it stops raining, he added.

Sub-Assistant Engineer of RHD in Rangamati Mohammad Abu Musa said they worked for three days before Eid to repair the road, but failed. Two places were destroyed completely, of which they repaired one a few days ago and other will be repaired soon.

 Kutukchhari Union Parishad Chairman Kanon Chakma said the road should be repaired as soon as possible.