Communication problem for want of a concrete bridge in different villages in Sadar and Dagonbhuiyan upazilas of Feni district has made the lives of local residents miserable but no initiative has been taken yet to end the problem.

Over 30,000 people in the two upazilas have been facing trouble every day while crossing the Feni River for different purposes.  Small boats are the only mode of transport for local residents.

Residents of Panchgachia union and Razapur union under the two upazilas have been demanding a concrete bridge over the river for a long time but it has fallen on deaf ears.

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Even there is no makeshift or bamboo bridge over the river, forcing people to use small boats for crossing the river.

The students of local schools and madrasahs of the two upazilas especially  the people of Purboghona village in Sadar upazila are the worst sufferers as they often fail to reach their educational institutions in time as only one boat is available for a large number of people.

 Most of the time, the residents of Purboghona village fall prey to mishaps while crossing the river and during  the monsoon it becomes more risky.

Kazi Nazrul Islam, president of Biroli Ideal High School and Government Primary School Managing Committee, said, “The local administration  has not taken any initiative to end the untold sufferings of people. The reluctant attitude of the authorities concerned has frustrated us.”

People of the two upazilas have to depend on boats to go to any place of the district and over 500 students of different schools and madrasahs have to use it.

Mizanur Rahman, the headmaster of Biroli Ideal High School, said, “There are 1,000 students in the school and most of them are  residents of Razapurghona village. Many students do not come to school during monsoon fearing boat capsizes amid storms.”

Monwar Hossain Shimul, a member of Biroli Darul Ulum Islamia Madrasha Managing Committee, said no boatman is available at night and so they fail to take any patient to any hospital immediately in case of emergency.

 Sirajul Islam, a resident of Purboghona village said they have to use an alternative road to go to Sadar upazila which is time-consuming and difficult for them.

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Mahbubul Haque Liton, newly-elected chairman of Panchgachia union, said only a concrete bridge over the Feni River can bring an end to the sufferings of people and necessary steps will be taken soon after consultation with authorities concerned including the local MP.

Deputy Commissioner Abu Selim Mahmud-Ul-Hasan, said “Communication is the most important part of development. The demand of local people is logical and I will take necessary steps in this regard after scrutiny.”