Three villages without roads in Khagrachhari

Three villages in Khagrachhari Municipality sees very little development due to absence of roads.

The people of more than 100 families in Footbillpara, Kumob Karbaripara and South Golabari Chakmapara of Ward No 9 have to walk to their work places or educational institutions through hilly farmland along the Chengi river at Battoli. This is risky due to erosion by the river.

The distance from Battoli school area to Footbillpara is more than three kilometres. There is only one old one-kilometre-long earthen road in the area, and the villagers have to cross hills to get to their destinations.

Santi Bikas Chakma, an inhabitant of the village, said there is no way to take any kind of transport to carry patients in an emergency, so a road should be built immediately in this area.

Bely Chakma, a student of the same village, said they have to go to school on foot every day. It is difficult to walk in the rainy season, as the ridges become slippery.

A very narrow strip, on the bank of the Chengi river at Battoli is used as footway due to the same reason. Photo: Star

Mongshi Ang Marma, the headmaster of Battoli Government Primary School said many students of that area attend the school, but their guardians do not send them to school during the rainy season.

Mayor Rafiqul Alam said it was impossible to build a road there due to erosion by the Chengi river, and an alternative route has to be found to build a road in the dry season.