Over 50,000 people in 10 villages of Kaunia upazila in Rangpur have been enduring years of hardship after floodwaters washed away the approach roads to a bridge, forcing them to cross a fragile bamboo footbridge every day.

Besides, the concrete bridge at Gopidanga Moulvibazar in Balapara union has remained largely unusable for vehicles after the Teesta River eroded its approach roads. The bridge has also developed a noticeable tilt, prompting fears of a major accident.

Locals said the concrete bridge was built in 2014 by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) at a cost of Tk 37.24 lakh.

However, a few years later, floodwaters from the Teesta River washed away the approach roads on both sides.

With no repairs undertaken by the authorities, local residents constructed a temporary bamboo-and-wood platform to maintain communication. Since then, thousands of commuters, including school and college students, as well as battery-run auto-rickshaws, vans and horse carts, have been using the risky crossing daily.

Residents alleged that frequent minor accidents occur on the bridge, while travelling at night has become even more dangerous. They said repeated appeals to local authorities and elected representatives for reconstruction of the bridge and its approach roads have yielded only assurances.

Balapara Union Parishad Member Hafizar Rahman said at least 50,000 people from 10 villages depend on the crossing.

UP Chairman Ansar Ali said several proposals had been submitted to the LGED seeking construction of a new bridge.

Kaunia Upazila LGED Engineer Md Manirul Islam said a proposal for a new bridge has already been approved and the feasibility study completed.

"The project is now at the design stage. We hope the tender will be approved soon, after which construction work will begin," he said.