1,500 people at Kaptai suffer for road collapse

KAPTAI, RANGAMATI, Sept 4: Around 1,500 people in Bangchhari Natun Para of Kaptai Upazila are suffering as the only road and a bridge connecting the area have collapsed.

A section of the road in Ward 5 of Kaptai Union No 4 collapsed about two months ago following prolonged heavy rain, disrupting normal movement of residents.

Hundreds of people use the road near Bangchhari Double Bridge and Natun Para every day. Farmers also depend on it to transport jhum cultivation produce and vegetables to and from local markets.

The collapse has caused particular hardship for school and college students, patients, elderly people and farmers.
Locals said more than 1,500 people from around 100 families live in Natun Para. As the only road to the area has not been repaired for a long time, their sufferings have intensified.

They urged the authorities to repair the road and bridge as soon as possible.

Suichimong Marma, headman of the para, and Mongsila Karbari said, “People in the area are suffering greatly as our only road has collapsed. We strongly urge the administration to repair it as soon as possible.”

Residents Sui Pru Marma and Uchipru Marma said, “It has become extremely difficult for school- and college-going children and for sick and elderly family members to travel because of the damaged road. We demand its immediate repair.”

Md Iman Ali, a member of Ward 5 of Kaptai Union Parishad, acknowledged the problem.

“The road has indeed collapsed, causing suffering for local residents. After learning about the incident, I visited the site and carried out some temporary repairs to make it usable. The union parishad chairman and local administration have been informed about the need for permanent repairs,” he said.