United News of Bangladesh

For more than three years, over 10,000 people in eight villages of Kurigram’s Phulbari upazila have been living with a daily risk to life and limb, crossing a fragile bamboo bridge over the Neelkomol River. The makeshift bridge, built by locals between Balatari and Chandrakhana villages under Phulbari Sadar Union, was erected after the collapse of a wooden bridge.  Since then, despite repeated visits and assurances from public representatives and officials, no permanent concrete structure has been constructed. Residents of Balatari, Chandrakhana, Jelepara, Kumarpur, Bamanitari, Abashon, Bairagipara and Dashiar Char remain dependent on the risky bamboo crossing.  Accidents are common, villagers say, and at least one life has already been lost. Sixty-year-old farmer Ehsan Ali recounted the tragedy of losing his son Atikur Rahman, 36, who succumbed to injuries after falling from the bridge. “I myself have fallen twice. Every time we hear promises, but no bridge. Only Allah knows when a proper bridge will be built here,” he said, his voice choked with grief. Students, too, have suffered. College-goer Faruk Hossain recalled a recent accident that left him with injuries and a broken mobile phone. “The bamboo bridge is a constant risk, especially for women carrying children. A concrete bridge has become a necessity,” he said. Local farmer Akter Ali said that villagers themselves bear the burden of repairs. “I donate 50 to 60 bamboos annually while others contribute labour. Walking on it is a daily struggle. If not a concrete bridge, at least a wooden one should be built for now,” he added. Heavy goods cannot be carried across the bamboo structure, leaving boats as the only transport option. Meanwhile, schoolchildren, farmers and daily commuters risk their safety every day. Officials acknowledge the problem.  Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) Upazila Engineer Mamunur Rahman said he had visited the site and sent a proposal for a 120-metre bridge over the Neelkomol River. “We are in touch with higher authorities for approval,” he said. Phulbari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Rehenuma Tarannum confirmed that funds had already been allocated for a temporary bamboo-wooden bridge.“The work will begin soon to ease movement,” she said. But for villagers who have heard similar pledges for years, patience is wearing thin. For now, their fragile bamboo bridge stands as both a lifeline and a looming hazard.    

It’s called a canal. But during the monsoon Gowali canal swells like a rivulet with a strong current. For the villagers the only way to cross it is offered by a Shako, a makeshift bridge made of bamboo poles. “Children and old people fear for their lives while crossing the canal by the Sakho,” said 65-year-old Bashar Ali of Ramdhana Shekhargaon Paschimpara area under Alangkari Union of Sylhet’s Bishwanath upazila. A good number of locals cross the canal by this single Sakho every day to go to work and conduct usual business, he said. Read: Mymensingh to get a modern bridge over Brahmaputra There are still some people who would cross the canal on rafts rather than risk their life by using the Sakho, according to locals. Cattle are made to swim through the canal. The people of this area have been suffering for over 30 years for the absence of a bridge over Gowali canal. Locals gathered to voice their frustration when this correspondent visited the area recenty. Read The terrible road preventing an area's residents from getting married They escorted the reporter to the canal over which the 45-feet long and 5-feet wide Sakho has been built recently. It stands between Shekhargaon Pashim Para and Alankari Primary School road. Thick mud was spotted on both ends of the Sakho which makes movement even more difficult. Though a majority of the local people blamed the administration and people’s representatives of the area for not building a proper bridge, some pointed to local rivalry as the cause. Read: Padma Bridge: Installation of all roadway slabs completed Local Union Parishad chairman Nazmul Islam Ruhel claimed that government allotted funds twice to build a bridge. But the funds returned unused due to objection by some villagers who feared it may take over their land. Others, however, disagreed with the chairman. They said politicians make promises to build the bridge only when election comes. Post-election they forget their promises. Ruling parties have changed, MPs came and went by but the bamboo bridge remained the same, they said. Read Wooden bridge over River Chawai, the only resort for 10,000 people, breaks down The villagers have to often repair Sakho with their own money to avoid accidents. Besides, the bamboos need to be changed twice a year for which locals pay money and work voluntarily.   Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sumon Chandra Das said the administration is aware of the people’s sufferings for lack of the bridge. Necessary steps would be taken, he said. Read  Solar posts will soon light up hilly roads in Moulvibazar, says minister

Residents of five villages in Chougachha upazila of Jashore have been suffering for a long time for the lack of a concrete bridge over Kopotakkho River in Narayanpur union.