Demand for concrete bridge falls on deaf ears

About six thousand people of five villages under Kundopukur union of Sadar upazila under the district have to depend on a risky bamboo bridge to cross the Khatamari River.

Visiting the area on Monday, it was found that people of Kamarpara, Angarpara, Kacharipara, Shalmara and Kumarpara villages on two sides of the river were using the bridge amid great difficulties.

During the rainy season when the river is full to the brim, villagers cross the river with boats and banana rafts but when the water recedes, they have to use the bamboo bridge for going to their croplands, educational institutions, banks, hospitals, markets and important government offices.

"My little daughter slipped from the bamboo bridge and fell into the river while going to school last week. She was luckily saved by the farm workers from a nearby crop field. But I have stopped sending her to school in fear," said Nanobala, mother of Suborna, a Class-1 student of Kundopukur Government Primary School.

Khokaram Roy, headmaster of Kundopukur High School, said many students fail to attend classes regularly due to problem in crossing the river.

Several farmers including Bakkar, 35, Bhoirab Roy, 40, Gopal, 42, said they find it difficult to carry crops, fertiliser or agricultural tools across the river as their house and croplands are on two sides of the river.

Many villagers said they face serious problems to take patients, especially pregnant women and elderly people, to hospitals in absence of a concrete bridge over the river.

"I stressed the need of bridge construction in the upazila coordination committee meeting several times. The officials concerned noted down the matter but to no effect," said Shahjahan Ali Chowdhury, chairman of Kundopukur union parishad.

Motiar Rahman, Sadar upazila engineer of Local Government Engineering Department, said his office is aware of the problem and will send a project proposal to the higher authority for approval soon.