Dhaka–Chattogram Highway Blocked Over Land Dispute

A major section of the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway came to a standstill on Wednesday morning after local residents staged a blockade at the Padua Bazar Bishwaroad area, protesting unresolved land ownership complications affecting 13 villages surrounding the Cumilla airport zone.

The demonstration was organised by people from multiple walks of life across the affected communities, all of whom converged on the busy highway to press for the permanent resolution of a long-standing land dispute. According to the protesters, the issue has persisted for years without any meaningful or lasting intervention from the relevant authorities, despite repeated appeals, meetings, and representations.

The demonstrators alleged that uncertainty over land demarcation and ownership rights in the airport-adjacent villages has created prolonged hardship, including restrictions on land use, administrative complications, and stalled local development activities. They insisted that only a formal agreement reached through coordinated action between government agencies and local stakeholders can bring a sustainable solution.

During the blockade, vehicular movement along one of the country’s busiest transport corridors was severely disrupted. Long queues of passenger buses, freight trucks, and private vehicles quickly formed, leaving commuters stranded for extended periods. Travellers reported significant delays, missed appointments, and logistical setbacks, while transport operators expressed concern over rising operational costs due to halted movement.

The protesters issued a warning that if authorities fail to take swift and effective steps towards resolving the dispute, they would be compelled to escalate their agitation with more stringent programmes in the coming days.

Local administration officials were deployed to the scene in an effort to manage the situation and restore traffic flow. Authorities stated that discussions with community representatives were being prioritised to defuse tensions and ensure a peaceful resolution.

Key Details of the Incident

The situation highlights the continuing challenges surrounding land governance in rapidly developing infrastructure zones, where competing claims and administrative complexities often lead to prolonged community unrest and disruption of national transport networks.