Sunday, August 16, 2026 — A 5-member high-level delegation from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and project officials visited Manikchhari Upazila to inspect the approximately 3.20 km Village Access Road (VAR) stretching from Mihir Bari to the Kalapani Buddhist Temple via Noyapara in Jogyachhari Union, implemented under the Climate Resilient Livelihood Improvement and Watershed Management in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CRLIWM-CHT) Sector Project.
Led by Community Development Committee (CDC) members, local beneficiaries warmly welcomed the visiting dignitaries with flowers and shared their past hardships and current transformation.
Community Voices & Real-Life Impact
During the interactive session, local residents recounted the severe challenges they faced before the road was constructed:
- Ms. Maching Marma and Ms. Chinghla Pru Marma shared that expectant mothers previously had to be transported to the Manikchhari hospital using a traditional “hill ambulance”—a makeshift stretcher made of sturdy bamboo and thick cloth without any wheels.
- Children had to endure a grueling 2 to 3-hour walk to school, and farmers were forced to carry their harvested agricultural produce to market on their shoulders.
Highlighting the profound change brought by the new infrastructure, community members expressed immense joy:
“Now, we can easily transport our agricultural goods to the market using easy-bikes (tomtoms), CNGs, and local jeeps (Chander Gari). Our children can commute to school effortlessly, and we can rush pregnant women to the hospital in CNGs. We are truly happy.”
Distinguished Delegation Members
The inspection team comprised high-ranking officials from the ADB and project executing/implementing agencies:
- Mr. Md. Sohel Rana, Associate Water Resources Officer, ADB (SD2-AFNR) — Mission Team Leader
- Ms. Urmi Bhattacharya, Associate Project Officer, ADB Bangladesh Resident Mission (BRM)
- Ms. Nasiba Selim, Senior Social Development Officer (Gender), ADB, BRM
- Ms. Kazi Akhmila, Senior Safeguards Officer (Social), ADB, OSFG
- Mr. Mohammad Abdul Basit, Consultant, ADB
- Mr. Paban Kumar Chakma, Project Director, CRLIWM-CHT Sector Project
- Mr. Abirata Chakma, Project Coordinator, CRLIWM-CHT Sector Project
- Mr. Joyce Khisa, Deputy Project Director (DPD), CRLIWM-CHT Sector Project
- Mr. Bikram Khisa, District Program Coordinator, CRLIWM-CHT Sector Project
- Mr. Ripon Chakma, Executive Director, Trinamul Unnayan Sangstha (Lead NGO)
- Ms. Gitika Tripura, Acting Executive Director, Khagrapur Mohila Kollan Samity (KMKS)
- Mr. Chingsaong Marma, President, Community Development Committee (CDC)
- Mr. Kyajari Mahajan, Former Chairman, Jogyachhari Union Parishad, along with local dignitaries and community members.
Implementation Context
The CRLIWM-CHT Sector Project is being implemented across all upazilas of the Khagrachari Hill District by Trinamul Unnayan Sangstha in partnership with ALO, Jabrang, Kabidang, and KMKS. The specific operational area for this visit fell under the direct purview of partner organization KMKS.
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