Resident and farmer Jitendra Naidu, who has lived in Qila all his life, says the two-kilometres road linking the settlement to the main road has been in poor condition for several years.
The 54-year-old says while maintenance and grading work have been been carried out, the road has not been properly gravelled for more than three years.
He says drainage work has also left parts of the road narrower, with deep side drains creating safety risks for vehicles.
Naidu says the road becomes slippery during wet weather, making it difficult for vehicles to travel in and out of the settlement.
He says this is a major challenge for farmers because buyers are often unable to reach the area during rainy weather, forcing them to hire suitable vehicles to transport their crops at an additional cost.
Naidu says Qila has no bus service, with residents relying mainly on taxis and a small number of carriers, some of which are also used to transport primary and secondary school students.
Insert: Naidu on road condition
Naidu says despite an FRA inspection vehicle visiting the area last month, residents have been waiting for improvement works to begin.
Responding to fijivillage News, FRA says it is aware of the condition of the road and has scheduled grading, compaction and spot metalling works under its July 2026 maintenance programme.
The Authority says damaged sections will also be repaired using crushed aggregate to improve the road's durability, while Qila Road has been prioritised for major re-sheeting works in the 2026/2027 financial year.
FRA says more extensive work, including drainage improvements, additional metalling and road widening, is expected to begin after mid-August, subject to the work schedule.
They say the contractor has been instructed to carry out grading, compaction and spot metalling on the identified sections to improve road conditions and maintain safe access, particularly during wet weather.
