Public sufferings mount for lack of concrete bridge in Chandpur
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Thousands of people have been suffering much for want of a concrete bridge over Bashghari canal in Raj Rajeswar under Sadar upazila of the district.
Every day, the people of Beparikandi, Mijikandi, Bashgharikandi and Bandukshikandi villages have to use a risky bamboo bridge.
Local people, especially pregnant women, elderly patients and students, are the worst sufferers, said Shafiullah Sarker, headmaster of Omar Ali High School.
A social worker, Hanif Bandukshi, came forward to set up a bamboo bridge over the canal in 2023 at a cost of around Tk 0.15 million (1.5 lakh).
"Every day, hundreds of people use this bamboo bridge at a great risk of life," he says.
A few days ago, the bridge collapsed as a speedy trawler carrying passengers and commodities violently hit the bamboo pillars of the bridge. People used boats to cross the canal. As public sufferings mounted, Mr Hanif again came forward to repair the bamboo bridge.
During a visit on Wednesday last, this correspondent found some 12 day labourers repairing the bamboo bridge.
While talking to the FE correspondent about the bridge, a few local elites said almost no government facilities are available at this remote Raj Rajeswar union with about 0.125 million (1.25 lakh) population. For any medicare facilities, pregnant women and patients have to rush to Chandpur town across the turbulent Meghna river every now and then.
Local people have called upon the government authorities to take quick steps to build a concrete bridge over the canal.
In the past, many appeals and requests were made to the ex-UP chairmen and members of the past government, but the appeals went unheeded, locals alleged.
Despite repeated calls, the cell of ex-UP Chairman Hajrat Ali could not be reached as his cell was found switched off. He went into hiding after the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government on 05 August, they added. Local people have, however, called upon the DC and the UNO to take quick steps to build a concrete bridge over the canal with the aim of assuaging public sufferings.