Katabunia, a neglected township in Chandkhali union of Paikgachha upazila, has remained largely underdeveloped for decades. Poor communication infrastructure continues to affect the lives and livelihoods of local residents, especially farming and fishing families who are unable to fully utilize the area’s agricultural and fisheries potential.
The main road used by residents has not yet been paved. During the monsoon season, the narrow and low-lying dirt road goes underwater, leaving bamboo bridges as the only means of crossing in several areas. Locals say they receive promises of development during elections, but those commitments are rarely fulfilled afterward.
Residents also lack access to many basic civic facilities, including proper education, healthcare, safe drinking water, and reliable transportation. Hundreds of families in the canal and wetland areas continue to live in hardship year after year.
The only road connecting Katabunia stretches about four kilometers from Ghazalia Banla on the Paikgachha-Koyra road to Kalmibunia on the Chandkhali-Ghazalia road. Around three kilometers of the route remain unpaved. Because the road is narrow and low, large sections become submerged during the rainy season, forcing residents to walk across temporary bamboo bridges.
Students are among the worst affected. School student Obaidullah said they must cross muddy roads and bamboo bridges to attend school during the monsoon. Local resident Belal Hossain Morol said poor communication systems are disrupting children’s education.
There is also a shortage of clean drinking water in the area. Housewife Mamata said women and children often have to carry water pitchers while crossing unsafe bamboo bridges.
Elderly resident Ali Morol said the people of Katabunia feel isolated and neglected. “Governments come and go, but there has been no visible development here for nearly 50 years,” he said.
Former UP member Akkas Ali Dhali said the road requires urgent earthwork before the monsoon season. He also stressed the need for culverts, better drainage, and long-term measures to address waterlogging.
Paikgachha Upazila Engineer Shafin Shoaib said steps have been taken to include the road under a rapid development project.
Upazila Executive Officer Wasiuzzaman Chowdhury said improving the communication system would significantly improve the living standards of local residents.
