A massive fruit market illegally setup by encroaching on the road and footpaths in the Mohipal area—the entry point to the Feni-Noakhali Regional Highway—is causing severe traffic congestion. Thousands of commuters, students, and daily office-goers face extreme suffering every day on this route.
More than 250 traders operate in the Mohipal market, the largest fruit trading hub in the greater Noakhali region. Large wholesale trucks, covered vans, and pickups arriving from across the country park directly on the highway to unload goods, completely blocking one side of the road and narrowing the thoroughfare.
Due to haphazard parking and crowding by retail vendors, a distance that normally takes a few minutes can take up to half an hour to cross. Pedestrians are forced to walk along the middle of the busy road at great personal risk.
Lutful Karim, Assistant Professor at Rampur Nasir Memorial Degree College, shared that he regularly arrives late at his office due to the gridlock. Feni District Disability Affairs Officer Abul Hossain Mohammad Ullah demanded an immediate, permanent solution.
Acknowledging the severe traffic issue, Omar Farooq Chowdhury, President of the Mohipal Fruit Wholesalers Association, stated that a spacious new fruit market is under construction in the Panchgachia area on the outskirts of the city. He expects traffic to ease significantly once traders relocate there over the next three months.
Mohipal Highway Police Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Noman noted that conducting business by occupying highways is illegal and assured full traffic police support if district and municipal administrations launch eviction drives. Local conscious citizens have demanded the immediate removal of illegal parking and the relocation of fruit warehouses to resolve the gridlock in Mohipal.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Md. Fakhrul Islam. Feni Correspondent • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
