A 22-kilometre stretch of the Chandura–Singarbil road in Bijoynagar Upazila of Brahmanbaria has become severely damaged, with rain-filled potholes turning the busy route into a safety risk for commuters and transport operators.
Recent heavy rains have worsened the condition of the road, where large sections have lost bitumen, sunk in parts, and developed wave-like undulations, leaving waterlogged craters that resemble small ponds.
The road, around 27 kilometres in total length, is a key route linking areas of Brahmanbaria and serves as an alternative corridor for vehicles travelling to and from Akhaura land port as well as Sylhet and Cumilla.
On the ground, multiple points across Chandura, Satgaon, Aladaudpur, Mirzapur, Mollartek, Petuazuri, Champaknagar, Noagaon intersection, Adampur, Khiratola, Sripur and Singarbil show extensive deterioration, with potholes making movement risky and damaging vehicles.
The absence of proper drainage has left rainwater stagnant on the road, while household discharge pipes connected to the roadside have further worsened year-round waterlogging.
A temporary repair carried out about a year ago using brick chips has failed to provide a lasting solution, with the road now in a more dangerous state than before.
Students, pregnant women, children, elderly people, patients and local businesses are among the worst affected, facing daily disruptions and rising transport costs.
An SSC candidate, Sadia, said the road is badly broken and submerged in places, causing vehicle shortages and forcing passengers to pay higher fares.
CNG autorickshaw driver Rubel Mia said vehicles frequently get stuck in potholes, leading to mechanical damage and regular minor accidents.
Residents from Champaknagar and Chandura areas said even light rain leads to waterlogging, adding that the Bijoynagar stretch of the Akhaura–Chandura road is in the worst condition and has become nearly unusable due to prolonged neglect.
Locals have demanded that the road be taken out of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) and brought under the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) for sustainable development.
Brahmanbaria-3 constituency Member of Parliament Khaled Hossain Mahbub Shyamal has raised the issue in parliament, calling for the road to be upgraded under RHD and rebuilt to a durable standard.
Residents said urgent intervention is needed to repair the road and ease suffering in the region.
