United News of Bangladesh

For more than three years, over 10,000 residents of eight villages in Phulbari upazila of Kurigram district have been risking their lives every day to cross the Nilkamal River via a narrow bamboo bridge. The makeshift structure, linking Balatari and Chandrakhana villages under Phulbari Sadar Union, has become the sole means of crossing the river after a wooden bridge collapsed years ago. Despite repeated assurances from local representatives and government officials, a permanent bridge has yet to be constructed, leaving villagers increasingly anxious over the issue. Frequent Accidents Crossing the shaky bridge is a perilous task. Many villagers have been injured, and one young man tragically lost his life after falling from it. With no alternative, residents continue to rely on the bridge for their daily commute. Those transporting heavy goods are forced to use boats, incurring additional costs. Ehsan Ali, a 60-year-old farmer, lost his 36-year-old son, Atikur Rahman, last year after he fell from the bridge. Half a lakh people held hostage by Kurigram’s broken promise of a bridge “I myself have fallen twice and been injured. Every time, we are promised a bridge, but nothing happens. Only Allah knows when a permanent bridge will be built over Nilkamal,” he said, fighting back tears. Local college student Faruk Hossain, 19, shared that he was injured just a week ago while crossing the bridge. “My mobile phone also broke. Accidents happen here almost every week. Earlier, when we had a wooden bridge, it was much safer. Now around 80 families of the Abashan area live in constant fear, especially women carrying babies. A concrete bridge is urgently needed,” he added. Akter Ali, a 58-year-old farmer, explained that villagers themselves repair and rebuild the bamboo bridge each year. “I contribute around 50 to 60 bamboos annually, while others provide labour. Without experience, crossing is nearly impossible. Even after years, every step feels dangerous. If a concrete bridge cannot be built immediately, at least a wooden one should be constructed to ease our suffering,” he urged the authorities. The bamboo bridge serves as the only link for residents of Balatari, Chandrakhana, Jelepara, Kumarpra, Bamanatari, Abashan, Boiragipara, and Dashiar Char. Students are among the most affected, having to cross it daily to attend schools, colleges, and madrasas. Public outcry over poor construction prompts bridge demolition in Pirojpur Upazila LGED engineer Mamunur Rahman said a proposal has been submitted to construct a 120-metre bridge over the Nilkamal. “We are in touch with the higher authorities for approval,” he said. Phulbari UNO Rehenuma Tarannum added that funds have already been allocated for a temporary bamboo-wooden bridge, with work set to begin soon. “We have also sent a proposal for a permanent structure. Now we await approval and funding,” she said.

A 350-meter road stretching from the Adarsha to Tinkona intersections in Balarhat of Phulbari upazila in Kurigram district has become virtually useless due to long-term neglect on the part of the authorities concerned. The absence of a drainage system means even light rainfall leads to this important artery becoming submerged in knee-deep muddy water, causing severe hardship for commuters. As a result, the road is causing extreme suffering to the pedestrians, causing small and big accidents almost every day. During a recent visit to the site, the UNB correspondent found that the road, passing through the historic Balarhat Bazar from Adarsha intersection to Naodanga Union Parishad and ending at Tinkona intersection (Phulbari Road), is riddled with potholes and mud, rendering it unfit for travel. The road’s asphalt and brick have worn away, creating craters of all sizes, forcing people to go to their designated place wading through muddy water. Besides, there is no drainage due to structures lining both sides, meaning water accumulates during rains and takes days to clear. Sylhet-Zakiganj-Biyanibazar road in dire straits; more than 15 lakh people suffer This road serves key institutions like Balarhat Adarsha School and College, Naodanga School and College, Balarhat Girls’ High School, Balarhat Government Primary School, Kurushafurusha Government Primary School, Shefali Kindergarten, ASHA and Grameen Bank, Gajerkuti and Balatari Government Primary Schools and the Balarhat BGB camp, as well as the Naodanga Union Parishad. Over 400-500 students risk navigating this hazardous road daily with muddy water splashing onto their clothes when vehicles pass, leaving parents in constant worry. Various vehicles including motorcycles, auto vans, auto rickshaws, bicycles are often victims of small and big accidents. On the western side of Balarhat Bazar, the 200-meter road leading to Naodanga School and College, Naodanga Land Office, Balarhat Central Jame Mosque, cattle and betel nut markets, and Balarhat DS Dakhil Madrasa is in equally deplorable condition. Unrepaired for years and lacking drainage, it turns into knee-deep water during rains, causing immense suffering for students and thousands of pedestrians. When speaking local traders Rezaul Islam Reza, Piton Pal, Abu Taher, and Rafiqul Islam said that Balarhat hosts bustling markets on Saturdays and Tuesdays, with cattle, goats, betel nuts, clothing, rice, furniture, poultry and bicycles traded. Thousands flock to the market from far and wide, generating millions in government revenue annually. Dilapidated road hampers trade through Sheola land port Despite daily use of the road by local officials like the chairman and members, no action has been taken. Talking to some students,  Shubhoshree Roy, Tanzila Akter (Adarsha School and College) and Hiyamoni (Naodanga School and College) lamented that as there is no alternative road, so they are forced to travel on muddy roads with risk. The road is particularly impassable during rains and remains hazardous even in the dry season. Abdul Hanif Sarker, a principal of Naodanga School and College and Moniruzzaman Sarker, acting principal of Balarhat Adarsha School and College stated that over 300 students from their institutions alone use this road, alongside thousands of others facing similar struggles. The suffering peaks during the monsoon and they urged immediate repairs through intervention by the local UP chairman and upazila administration. Naodanga Union Parishad Chairman Hasen Ali clarifies that the 200-meter road near the Jame Mosque in western Balarhat and the 200-meter stretch from Tinkona intersection to Adarsha intersection fall under the LGED office, while the 100-meter section from Naodanga Union Parishad to Adarsha intersection is under the Zila Parishad’s jurisdiction. Despite multiple appeals to relevant authorities, no progress has been made. People suffering due to dilapidated road in Munshiganj The UP chairman also demanded swift action from authorities to repair the road. Phulbari Upazila Engineer Mamunur Rahman, assured that the issue of repairing the roads on the eastern and western sides of Balarhat Bazar, including near the Central Jame Mosque, will be urgently raised with higher authorities within the next few days for prompt resolution.