Kurigram-3 AL MP defiant as locals, mayor oppose his beautification project

Locals of Ulipur upazila in Kurigram have expressed mixed reactions over the construction of a bridge -- Swadhinata Setu -- over the age old Swarnamayee Sarovar (lake) in the upazila.

But Kurigram-3 Awami League lawmaker Prof MA Matin stands defiant.

Taking to The Daily Star, MA Matin said, "The construction of Swadinata Setu over Swarnamayee Sarovar will be completed at any cost. It is in the greater interest of beautifying Ulipur."

The foundation stone of the bridge was inaugurated by him on March 17 this year.

Locals say that since there are several educational institutions and a central mosque around the lake, building a bridge over it would create different problems. They said it would mean an increase in crowds and a deterioration in the learning environment of the nearby educational institutions.

In June, under the banner of Ulipur Sachetan Mahal, some locals submitted a memorandum to the Kurigram deputy commissioner and the Ulipur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) saying that the construction of the bridge over Swarnamayee Sarovar would be of no use to them.

They also organised a human chain on the banks of the lake. 

Advocate Pradip Kumar Roy, a spokesperson of the civil society body, said

if the bridge is built, the heritage of the lake would be lost.

Umme Habiba, head teacher of the nearby Ulipur Govt Model Primary School, told The Daily Star that the bridge will damage the learning environment of the educational institutions around the lake as it will prompt boys and girls to skip school and spend time on the bridge.

"Swarnamayee Sarovar has a heritage and it should be allowed to survive as it is. If the bridge is built over the lake, the heritage of Swarnamayee Sarovar will be lost one day," she added.

Lawmaker Matin, however, rubbished the objections as conspiracies.

"Some people are conspiring to prevent the construction of the bridge over the lake, but their conspiracy will not stop us," he said.

The lawmaker also said that the construction was initially estimated to cost Tk 80 lakh. However, the amount may increase further and he has already allocated Tk 10 lakh from the district council development fund for the construction of the bridge, he said.

"Swadhinata Setu will be built with the financial help of local businessmen and affluent people in the upazila. Ulipur Upazila Parishad Chairman Golam Hossain Mantu is handling the whole matter," the MP said.

He also said that the bridge would make environment more conducive to learning.

Golam Hossain Mantu said all preparations for the construction of the bridge have been taken and they will begin work at a convenient time.

Contacted, Ulipur Municipality Mayor Tarik Abu-Ala told The Daily Star that building the bridge over Swarnamayee Sarovar is nothing but luxury and will not benefit the local people.

"There are many bridges in Ulipur which are damaged, while people in many areas are having difficulty in their commute due to lack of bridges, but nobody has any concern over constructing and repairing those bridges. Enhancing beauty of the lake would only be a luxury expenditure in the name of development," he said.

Ulipur is a poverty-stricken area with much need for improvement in the infrastructure, according to locals. 

Ulipur UNO Abdul Quader told The Daily Star that since the bridge is not being built with government funds, so they could not take any action in this regard.

Terming it a matter for the locals, the UNO said he had informed the Kurigram DC about the advantages and disadvantages of building the bridge.