Villagers build their road as authorities unconcerned

People of Ullah Sonatala in Saghata upazila of Gaibandha build a road themselves as a bridge in the area has remained incomplete for the last 11 years. PHOTO: STAR

Villagers of Ullah Sonatola in Saghata upazil have finally started construction of a road across the River Ullah themselves because of long indifference by the authorities concerned.
Locals said construction work of a bridge over the river came to standstill about 11 years ago.
On Saturday, the villagers started the earthwork of the road across the dried up riverbed. Cross section of people from both sides of river spontaneously joined the work.
The bridge, which connected Gaibandha-Saghata road, collapsed during a flood in 1988. Since then the hapless villagers crossed the river by boat at the time of monsoon and on foot during the dry season.
In 2002, the Roads and Highway Department undertook the construction work of a 74.16- meter bridge at a cost of Tk 1.3 crore.
But, the work of the bridge came to a halt allegedly because of high price of construction materials, said roads and highway sources.
Later, the authorities revised the estimated cost of bridge at Tk 3.5 crore, but did not approve any fund, they said.
All our pleas to implement the work of the bridge fell on the deaf ears, alleged locals.
Finding no other alternatives, villagers joined hands to construct the road beside the bridge to ease communication, said Tajul Islam, a member of Bharatkhali union.