The residents of Laxmirchar, Charjagaria, Charpara, Rayerchar, Bhatipara, Charjathartopur, Kaziarchar, Tulshirchar, Rehai Gazaria, Tebirchar, Chatiantala, Garamara, Tikrakandi, Digriechar and Douhatala villages under the two unions depend on ‘kheya’ boat for crossing the river to go to Sadar upazila and capital Dhaka.

Several hundred college students of the two unions have to attend their classes enduring much difficulties every day.

During monsoon, the residents of the 15 villages have to cross the turbulent river risking their lives while in the dry season they have to cross a one-kilometer area of the river which gets muddy and patchy due to walking by hundreds of people.

Villagers alleged that the local administration has not taken any step yet to build any bridge although 48 years have elapsed since the country’s independence.

Every day many people have to cross the river to go to Nandina and Narandi bazars for education, business and shopping purposes.

Abdul Halim, a resident of Rehai Gazaria village, said the people in Tulshirchar and Laxmirchar unions depend on agriculture for their livelihood. The farmers have to depend on boats to take their crops to the local markets.

“The living standard of the people of the two unions is not improving and famers are not getting fair prices of their produces due to poor communication system,” he said.

Nazrul Islam, a resident of the same village, said, “They have heard pledges from the local administration several times but there is no change in the fate of the farmers.”

Rezaul Karim, a teacher of Narandi Jinnatan Afsor Women Degree College, said the residents of the two unions, have to move out for their destinations two hours ahead of the stipulated time because of the poor communication, he said.

Dilruba Champa, a college student and a resident of Tulshirchar village, said, “During the dry season I have to carry an extra dress with me for going to college as I my dress which I wear gets wet and dirty while crossing the river. As the river dried up during the dry season, I have to wade through waist- to knee-deep water to go to my college.”

Mohammad Nazrul Islam, executive engineer of Jamalpur LGED, said the cabinet has already approved a project for constructing a bridge at Nandina point over the Brahmaputra River and the work will begin soon once the tender is floated.