Villagers suffer as bridge lies broken for 2 years

Kids take a risky walk on this awfully dilapidated iron bridge to cross Lakutia canal in Barisal Sadar upazila a couple of days ago as the authorities concerned did not take any step to repair the structure for long. PHOTO: STAR

An iron bridge in Kashipur union under Sadar upazila of the district, damaged two years ago, still lies without repair, much to the sufferings of people of the union. 

Built on Lakutia Canal two decades ago, the bridge got damaged in January 2012, snapping direct road link between Kashipur union and Barisal city.

Around 30,000 people of the union, especially students and traders, face trouble to go to schools and the city, crossing the bridge.

During a visit to the area on January 19, this correspondent found some kids going to school, walking across the broken bridge amid risk of accident.

“We face trouble to go to school regularly. We urge the authorities concerned to repair the bridge as soon as possible,” said Rafi, a class III student of a local primary school.

Local farmers and traders said they repeatedly appealed to the local administration to build a concrete bridge over the canal, but no step has been taken yet.

Contacted, Nurul Islam, chairman of Kashipur Union Parishad (UP) said, he has already sent a project proposal to the authorities concerned to construct a concrete bridge over the canal, replacing the damaged one.