Suffering for lack of bridges
Communication problem grips different areas of Jhenidah, Faridpur, Rajbari and Rangamati districts in absence of permanent bridges over rivers and canals.
Thousands of people on both sides of the Chitra river in Barobazar union under Kaliganj upazila of Jhenidah are badly suffering for want of a concrete bridge, reports our correspondent.
People of 20 villages of two unions use a bamboo bridge on the river as there are two markets, a college, two high schools and a hospital in the area.
“We are in trouble due to lack of a permanent bridge. Our children face risk while going to school. Recently, an elderly women slipped from the shako [bamboo bridge],” said Md Mohiuddin of Barpa village.
The farmers face problem while carrying their produces to the market, locals said.
UP member Abdur Razzak of Mongolpaita village said the authorities have allocated Tk 3.37 crore for construction of a bridge at the spot.
Work for the 66-metre-long bridge will start soon, said Obhijit Kumar Biswas, sub-assistant engineer of Kaliganj upazila.
Our Faridpur Correspondent reports: Thousands of people of Ujanchar union under Goalanda upazila in Rajbari and Ishan Gopalpur union of Sadar upazila in Faridpur are suffering for want of a permanent bridge over a canal.
People of at least 30 villages of the two districts use a bamboo bridge to cross the canal flowing between Anando Bazar and Sahajuddin Matbor Para areas to go to their destinations, including the district headquarters, educational institutions and bazars but the bridge has turned risky due to overuse, locals said.
“We live in the border area of two districts, so no one takes care of us,” said Mostafa Sheikh, 37, a shopkeeper of Ananda Bazar.
Abul Hossain Fakir, chairman of Ujanchar Union Parishad (UP), said he has urged the authorities concerned for building a permanent bridge to ease communication in the area.
Mizanur Rahman Mojnu, chairman of Ishan Gopalpur UP, said, “We have sent a proposal to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives for building a bridge. I hope the problem will be solved in a short time.”
Our Rangamati Correspondent adds: Several thousand people of Dewanpara village in Ghagra union under the district's Kawkhali upazila are facing untold sufferings as a locally important bridge, which was badly damaged during last year's rains, is yet to be repaired.
Specially affected are the children who have to regularly cross the bridge to go to school.
Farmers are also facing problem to carry their produce to Ghagra Bazar.
Local Government and Engineering Department built the 200-metre-long bridge in 2013 for movement of light vehicles and crossing it on foot but no vehicles can use it after the damage, said officials of Ghagra Union Parishad.
Visiting the area last week, this correspondent saw people crossing the bridge amid risk.
Jagodish Chakma, chairman of Ghagra Union Parishad, said he told the authorities concerned to repair the bridge.
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