Collapsed bridge still unrepaired
The bridge over Banshbunia Canal that collapsed during cyclone Roanu on May 21 in 2016 is still unrepaired, causing immense suffering to over 20,000 people of six villages under Amtali upazila of Barguna.
Locals, including a good number of students, have to cross the canal by country boats, which is very risky.
The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) built a concrete bridge over the canal in Haldia union in 2006 at a cost of Tk 40 lakh. Over 20,000 people of Jogotchad, Madhya Tepura, Dakkhin Tepura, Purbo Tepura, Uttar Tepura and Dakkhin Taktabunia villages used the bridge to communicate with different places, including the upazila headquarters.
Several hundred students of Senerhat Government Primary School and Taktabunia High School used the bridge to go to their educational institutions.
Around 30 metres in the middle of the bridge collapsed and communication was snapped totally during cyclone Roanu.
Achhia Begum, 65, of Jogotchad village, said they have to cross the canal by the country boat, which is risky.
Headmaster of Senerhat Government Primary School Ashish Kanti Howlader said many students were injured when boats capsized while crossing the canal. The children are now afraid to cross the canal by boat, which is hampering their studies.
Headmaster of Taktabunia High School ABM Sobhan said the authorities concerned should take immediate steps to repair the bridge considering the interest of school goers and local people.
Haldia Union Parishad Chairman Md Shahidul Islam Mridha said they requested the authorities concerned several times to repair the bridge, but in vain. LGED gave them only 'hope,' he added.
Upazila Engineer of LGED Md Nazrul Islam said they have sent a letter to the higher authorities for funds to repair the bridge, but they have not received any funds.
"We will take steps to repair the bridge after getting allocation," he added.
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