Sohel Kanti Nath, Bandarban

Two internal roads in Bandarban district headquarters will improve the communication system, bring revolutionary changes in the agricultural sector, and change the socio-economic development of the two areas.

The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) has taken the initiative to build roads to improve the internal communication system from Baghmara-Khansama Para to Bouddha Vihar Road and from Sualok Bazar to Bangapara-Ganesh Para in Bandarban Sadar Upazila.

The work of one has already been completed, and the work of the other is also almost at the end. Very soon, these two internal roads will be opened to the public through the inauguration. Meanwhile, the locals are happy that these two important internal roads have been constructed after a long time.

It is learnt from the field that the vast area of Khansama Para in Baghmara is flat land. Most of the local residents there depend on agriculture. For ages, locals have been cultivating various fruits, including jute and garden crops, to earn a living. But due to the lack of communication system, the crops produced in the field could not be marketed at the right time, and many times the crops were wasted in the field.

Currently, with the internal road from Baghmara-Khansama Para to Bouddha Vihar, local farmers can easily come to the market to take their produce. Similarly, people from Sualok Bazar to Bangapara-Ganesh Para and the surrounding areas also earn a living by doing agricultural work. The residents of these areas had to suffer for a long time due to the communication system. But the construction of the Sampriti internal road has changed the standard of living of the locals, and due to the ease of transporting agricultural products, there will be revolutionary changes in the agricultural sector. As a result, not only will the employment of local hill-Bengalis increase, but also there will be massive economic changes at the local level. If we think about it from there, it will also play a big role in the overall economy of the country.

According to LGED information, the cost of the project of these two roads has been estimated at about 9.5 crore taka. In the fiscal year 2023-24, a 7.5-kilometer carpeted road has been constructed from Baghamara Khansama Chakma Para to Bhaya. On the other hand, a 3.5-kilometer carpeted road is being constructed from Sualak Bangapara to Ganesh Para. About 90 percent of the work on these two roads has been completed. Those concerned believe that once the road is completed, it will bring a great revolution in the transportation facilities of local residents and the agricultural economy of the region.

Locals say that the development of the communication system through these two roads in the mountains is unimaginable to everyone. Moreover, no one could have imagined such a beautiful road with carpeting throughout the remote hilly townships. Earlier, it was difficult to travel anywhere due to dust and wet soil, but now agricultural products are being transported and transported through those roads. Locals believe that the construction of these two new roads will bring a great change in the communication system and the healthcare, education and agricultural economy of the common people.

Ansui Praj, a local resident of Baghmara, said - It was very difficult for us to travel during the rainy season. To go from one neighborhood to another, we had to go through the mountain roads. Not only that, we could not take the crops produced in our fields to the market due to the lack of communication system. But once the road is built, we will be able to reach our destination within a short time and our problems will also decrease.

Samiran Tangchangya, a resident of Bangapara, said, this road used to be very dusty and potholed. If there was even a little rain, we could not go for a walk. The people of this area used to suffer. Now, due to the construction of high-quality roads by LGED, our transportation system has become much easier.

Mohammad Tasaur, Executive Engineer of LGED, Bandarban Local Government Engineering Department, said, the construction of these two roads will not only improve the socio-economic development of the area, but also make it easier to transport agricultural products and travel.

Areas that used to suffer will benefit from this road. He believes that the farmers of the hills will get the rightful share of their produce and there will be socio-economic development in the area. He believes that there will be a revolutionary change, especially in the agricultural sector.