A longstanding design flaw in Sitakunda, a key industrial area and gateway to Chattogram, is severely hampering emergency response operations. The local Fire Service and Civil Defence station, located beside the Dhaka–Chattogram highway, faces a permanent road divider directly in front of it. The absence of an emergency crossing, pocket gate, or U-turn prevents fire trucks from quickly reaching incidents on the opposite side of the highway, forcing them to take long detours or drive against traffic.

Residents and experts describe the issue as a serious public safety failure rather than a mere design oversight. The opposite side of the highway contains densely populated residential zones, markets, and factories, yet no effective access route exists for emergency vehicles. Fire safety specialists emphasize that the first five to ten minutes after a fire outbreak are critical, but delays caused by this obstruction often allow fires to spread uncontrollably.

Local citizens and business owners are urging authorities to create a controlled emergency pocket gate through coordination among the Roads and Highways Department, Highway Police, Fire Service, and local administration to prevent further risk to lives and property.