A.F.M. Asad Ullah: The rural road extending from the front of Grameen Bank in Adampur Bazar to Paschim Kandigaon in Kamalganj Upazila, Moulvibazar, is an important pathway for the local community. The area is predominantly inhabited by the Muslim Manipuri community, with hundreds of residents relying on this road for daily movement. However, years of neglect have left this vital road in a severely dilapidated state. The most significant damage is evident in the infrastructure of this rural road, with its connecting sections completely collapsed. Determined to restore this essential pathway, the villagers themselves have undertaken the task of repairing the road.
A visit to the site on Sunday morning revealed that over fifty elderly and young men from the area voluntarily participated in repairing the road. They used soil from nearby agricultural fields to fill the damaged sections. As a result, the road, which was previously impassable, has been made accessible for light vehicles. This road serves as the primary route for hundreds of residents traveling from Adampur Bazar to Paschim Kandigaon.
Locals shared their frustrations, stating that at the beginning of the year, they had hoped for unbiased development initiatives under the new administration. They had even submitted a written application to the Upazila Parishad, expecting necessary repairs for the road. However, instead of addressing this critical pathway, funds were allocated to comparatively less important roads. Disheartened by this neglect, the locals took matters into their own hands, using shovels to fill potholes and make the road usable again.
Abdus Samad, a local Muslim Manipuri poet and writer, expressed his concerns: “School-going children can’t walk on this road, and during the rainy season, water rises to waist level. If we don’t take action, who will?”
Kamalganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Makhan Chandra Sutradhar praised the villagers for their voluntary efforts in repairing the road. He assured the residents that sustainable development initiatives for the road would be taken promptly.
“The road will be fully repaired and made fit for use within a short period,” the UNO stated, providing hope to the community.
