Soil Collapse Along Chandraganj Road Poses Accident Threat, Endangers Local Residents
Soil erosion along one side of the vital road connecting Afzal Road to Khalekganj Bazar in Chandraganj, Laxmipur, has made vehicular movement and pedestrian transit extremely hazardous. The continuous sliding away of roadside soil has narrowed the roadway significantly, forcing motorcycles, auto-rickshaws, and other vehicles to navigate the route at great risk every day. The danger escalates to severe concerns during night hours due to the absence of adequate street lighting and warning signboards, leaving daily commuters exposed to constant peril.
The crumbling infrastructure poses a severe threat to hundreds of students from Pratapganj High School and Ibrahim Mia Girls’ High School who rely on this path daily to attend their classes. Local business owners, office workers, and general residents also use this route for their daily commute, keeping parents and community members in persistent anxiety regarding potential casualties. Residents fear that without urgent structural intervention, vehicles could easily plunge into the adjacent ditch, potentially leading to tragic accidents at any moment.
Emphasizing the severity of the situation, resident Faiz Ahmad noted that people commute in constant fear due to the broken roadside, particularly at night. Another resident, Sabuddin, stressed that prompt repairs are essential to prevent vehicles from sliding into the ditch and causing fatalities. Meanwhile, Tofazzal Hossain Sabuj, General Secretary of Chandraganj Union BNP, stated that he personally informed the Upazila Engineer’s office, but no effective measures have been visible despite initial verbal assurances.
Addressing the issue, Kamrul Hasan, BRDB Officer for Laxmipur Sadar Upazila and Administrator of Chandraganj Union Parishad, acknowledged learning about the hazard recently and committed to inspecting the site to determine administrative steps. Additionally, Md. Iqbal Hossain, LGED Engineer for Laxmipur Sadar, explained that administrative delays and upazila division factors slowed progress, though a formal project has been undertaken. He pledged to visit the location within a day or two to assess immediate relief actions.
The affected community demands swift, tangible action rather than repeated assurances from officials. Locals insist on the emergency restoration of the collapsed sections, permanent structural protection for the adjacent canal banks, and the immediate installation of safety barriers and warning signboards. The critical question lingering among the residents remains whether the relevant authorities will implement preventive safety measures immediately or wait until a tragic accident occurs before waking up to the reality.
