Dilapidated culvert lies unrepaired for 12 years in Khagrachhari
Despite being declared unfit for use over a decade ago, the culvert continues to serve as a vital link between the union and the upazila headquarters, say locals
Nearly 20,000 residents of around 30 villages in Mubachhari union of Khagrachhari's Mahalchhari upazila have been risking their lives while crossing a severely damaged culvert that became unusable nearly 12 years ago.
Despite being declared unfit for use over a decade ago, the culvert continues to serve as a vital link between the union and the upazila headquarters, said locals.
With no alternative, local residents have been making makeshift repairs using bamboo and wood to keep it functional.
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These temporary fixes have made the culvert extremely unsafe, particularly ahead of the monsoon season.
Locals have urged authorities to reconstruct the culvert before the upcoming monsoon, warning that a failure to act could sever communication entirely.
They also fear that rising water levels from the Kaptai dam will submerge the alternative route, leaving the region isolated.
The culvert, constructed nearly 40 years ago with funding from the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), serves as a key conduit for residents commuting to offices, schools, and markets.
It also connects several remote villages in neighbouring Naniarchar upazila of Rangamati including Karalyachhari and Sabekshong.
Locals said monsoon rains and flooding further eroded the already fragile structure, washing away the connecting roads on either side.
Local residents have taken it upon themselves to fix the culvert, but their efforts are temporary and increasingly hazardous.
Triptishankar Chakma, executive engineer of LGED Khagrachhari, said, "The culvert was constructed almost four decades ago. Recent floods caused the approach roads on both sides to collapse, leading to temporary disconnection."
"A project to reconstruct the culvert has already been approved. The tender process will begin soon, and we are hopeful that construction work will start before the monsoon," he added.
If completed in time, the new structure will restore safe communication for the locals and ease their daily hardship, the LGED official said.
