Villagers suffer for want of a bridge

Local people have been suffering for long for want of a concrete bridge over Krishnapur canal in Rongchhati union of Netrakona’s Kalmakanda upazila.

Especially schoolchildren and patients are the worst sufferers due to the communication problem.

In 2004, World Vision Bangladesh constructed a concrete bridge on the canal at Krishnapur-Rongchhati road in the union but the bridge broke down during flood in 2010.

Despite repeated pleas, the authorities concerned are yet to take any steps to build a bridge to ease people’s sufferings, said villagers.

Finding no other alternative, locals build makeshift bamboo bridge beside the broken bridge during every rainy season and cross it amid risk of accident.   

There are two high schools, two primary schools and a madrasa on both sides of the bridge, said Md Akkas Ali Mia, a member of Rongchhati union parishad (UP).

Hundreds of people from adjacent Krishnapur, Raypur, Bishauti, Banaikona, Burimari and Rongchhati villages also use the road to reach Kalmakanda and Netakona for their daily purposes, said the UP member.

It is very difficult to carry agricultural products through the road since the bridge broke down.

Critical patients have to suffer a lot to go to Netrakona and Mymensingh, said Md Abdul Hamid, a medical assistant of Krishnapur Community Clinic.

Some 70 patients visit the clinic for treatment using the risky bamboo bridge daily, said Hamid.

Md Azizul Haque, headmaster of Krishnapur Government Primary School, said “I couldn’t attend an office meeting recently at Rongchhati as I couldn’t cross the bamboo bridge due to bad weather”, said the headmaster.

The attendance in the school became thin during the rainy season, he said.

Local people also alleged that they informed the local administration about the matter several times but to no effect yet.

Contacted, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Zakir Hossain said upazila LGED engineer Afsar Uddin visited the spot recently and prepared a proposal of Tk some 34 lakh for construction of a bridge.

The proposal was submitted to the ministry concerned but to no response yet, said the UNO.