Demand for bridge still unmet
A bamboo bridge on the river Bhogai in Netrakona's Kalmakanda upazila has been the only means for people to cross the river in Ujiakhali area.
Over 2000 people, including students from some 14 villages, use the bridge every day amid risk of accidents, said locals.
The villages include Ranigaon, Chamarjani, Aatkhola, Syedpur, Pola, Gonita, Borparua, Khola, Bubirpara and Pagla.
The villagers have been using the bamboo bridge for the last eight years. They make the bridge by spending Tk 50,000 every year. Earlier, people used boat to cross the river.
Especially elder people, children and patients are the worst sufferers due to absence of a concrete bridge over the river, said Ali Hossain of Koilati village.
Despite repeated pleas, the authorities concerned are yet to construct a bridge there, he said.
Farmer Rahajan Mia of Bhabnikona said they do not get fair prices of their products due to poor communication with the upazila headquarters.
Local people alleged that on various occasions, the political leaders of different parties gave pledges to construct a bridge on the river but none did it yet.
Alhaj Shahidul Islam Khan, a 67-year-old farmer of Dakkhin Ranigaon village, said they have been waiting for a bridge since their childhood but could not see a bridge over the river till now.
This bridge is the only way to reach Kalmakanda upazila headquarters and Netrakona town as well, said local Awami League leader Motiur Rahman.
Shafiqul Islam, a member of Koilati Union Parishad, said there are three primary schools and four madrasas on both sides of the river but the importance of constructing a concrete bridge went unheeded.
Rubel Bhuiyan, chairman of Koilati Union Parishad, said a proposal was sent to the Local Government Engineering Department two years ago but no initiative has been taken yet.
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