Lack of funds hits roadwork in three hill districts

The projects are aimed at developing a road network covering remote and inaccessible areas of Khagrachhari, Rangamati and Bandarban where inhabitants remained underprivileged.

Establishing better communications would help alleviate poverty, create employment opportunities and ensure economic growth through exploiting huge resources in the region, sources said.

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The Social Works Organisation (SWO) of the Engineering Corps, Bangladesh Army, was entrusted with the tasks as it would be difficult for the Roads and Highway Department to implement the projects in the inaccessible, rugged and hilly areas, they said.

Three Engineer Construction Battalions with the support of 24 infantry division of the Bangladesh Army have been engaged in implementing the projects -- ten in Rangamati and Khagrachhari, four in Bandarban and one in Cox's Bazar.

The progress of the projects was 'satisfactory', but the lack of funds is a major problem, sources said, adding that nine of the projects did not receive funds in the current fiscal.

The implementation of a major project, Cox's Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive Road, virtually came to a halt as it failed to get any fund allocation in the last two fiscal years.

The earthwork for the road construction has been completed, but it could be damaged in the coming monsoon if the work remains postponed, sources said.

At the same time, the delay in work would also hinder the growth of tourism and dishearten the entrepreneurs who took initiatives to set up tourist spots along the marine drive from Cox's Bazar to Teknaf.

Five other projects suffering from lack of inadequate funds are Chimbuk-Thanchi road (54 km), Ghagra-Bandarban road (59 km), Chittagong-Rangamati road (37 km) and Baghaihat-Massalong-Sajek road (36 km) and Chhoto Marong-Changachhari-Longadu road (28 km).

Under the Chimbuk-Thanchi project, carpeting of the 54 km road and construction of three bridges could not be started due to shortage of funds.