Move to build bridge over century-old pond for beautification

The initiative to construct a bridge over 'Swarnamoyee Sarobar', a two-century-old pond in Ulipur upazila town under Kurigram, has given rise to protest by a section of locals.

The proposed bridge will not serve any practical purpose, rather, it will affect the learning environment at several nearby educational institutions and a mosque by attracting crowds, said the protesters.

Demanding cancellation of the decision to build the bridge, locals under the banner of Ulipur Sachetan Mahal (conscious community of Ulipur), submitted memorandum to the Kurigram deputy commissioner (DC) and the Ulipur upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) and organised a human chain on the bank of the large pond in late June.

Prof MA Matin, ruling Awami League lawmaker from Kurigram-3, laid the foundation stone for the construction of the bridge styled 'Swadhinata Setu' over 'Swarnamoyee Sarobar' on March 17 this year.

Contacted, Prof Matin said the bridge will be made to beautify Ulipur town, despite some people's conspiracy to prevent it.

"The estimated cost for its construction is Tk 80 lakh, which may increase later. I have already allocated Tk 10 lakh from the zila parishad's development fund for starting construction of the bridge.

"The bridge will be built with the financial help of local businessmen and rich people. Ulipur Upazila Parishad Chairman Golam Hossain Mantu is handling the whole matter," he said.

Chairman Mantu said they have made all preparations for the bridge construction over 'Swarnamoyee Sarobar' and the work will start at a convenient time.

Contacted, Ulipur UNO Abdul Quader told The Daily Star, "We could not take any action as the bridge is not being built with government fund. It is a matter of local people and I have informed the deputy commissioner about the advantages and disadvantages of building the bridge."

Ulipur Municipality Mayor Tarik Abu-Ala said, "Building a bridge over 'Swarnamoyee Sarobar' would be a mere luxury when several bridges in Ulipur lie broken and building new ones at some places is necessary."

Umme Habiba, headmaster of Ulipur Government Model Primary School, said the construction of a bridge over 'Swarnamoyee Sarobar' will affect the learning environment in the area as increasing crowd will create noise and school children will be tempted to go there to chat, even during the class hours.

The traditional waterbody should be allowed to survive in its present state and with the same name, she said.

Advocate Pradip Kumar Roy, representative of Ulipur Sachetan Mahal, said they had urged not to construct bridge over 'Swarnamoyee Sarobar' as it will be of no practical use and cause harm to the spot, regarded by locals as a heritage site. 

If the decision to construct the bridge is not revoked, the people of Ulipur will launch a bigger movement, he said.