KHALID BIN NAZRUL, Cumilla

The Major Abdul Gani Road in Cumilla, which connects Cumilla city and Brahmanpara upazila, has become largely unfit for travel, causing immense suffering for nearly 50,000 people who use the road for their daily commute.

The 21km road has around 13km between Cumilla and Burichang in a dilapidated condition, with the surface worn off after recent floods, leaving hundreds of potholes.

Locals said floodwaters damaged the road severely after the Gomti river embankments collapsed recently. With no steps taken to repair it, the condition has continued to deteriorate over time.

“The journey between Brahmanpara and Cumilla used to take only around 30 minutes when the road was in good shape. Now it takes more than one and a half hours. Transport fares have soared as drivers often avoid the road due to the risks and heavy congestion,” said Zahirul Haque Babu, a member of Burichang Press Club.

“The road is in terrible shape; vehicles often break down, and the muddy, waterlogged areas have become highly accident-prone,” said Sharif, a CNG-run auto-rickshaw driver.

Contacted, Khondoker Golam Mostafa, executive engineer of the Roads and Highways Department in Cumilla, said, “Repair work on the 13km stretch of the road from Cumilla to Burichang has already begun. We will soon start work on the Brahmanpara portion through a new project.”