A large number of people including students have been suffering immensely years after years due to the lack of a permanent bridge on a tributary of Dhaleswari River at Nagarpara village under Uarshi union of Mirzapur upazila in Tangail.
As many as 50,000 locals from Mirzapur, and adjacent Nagarpur upazila are currently using boats to cross the river for their daily purposes. Schoolchildren and patients are the worst sufferers due to the communication problem.
Besides, small businessmen and farmers of 15 villages including Nagarpara, Dakhili, Noagaon, Moishapara, Mojdoi and Saforta have been facing problems day after day as their daily business activities are being hampered due to the lack of a permanent bridge.
Speaking to this correspondent, vegetables trader Farid Akhtar from Nagarpara bazaar said: “We have been facing problems due to the lack of a permanent bridge as we need to transport goods to our shops from different places.”
Shafiqul Islam, a fifth grader from Nagarpara Government Primary School said: “During rainy season, I remain in fear as I need to go to school by crossing the river by boat. A college girl died after a boat capsized in the river. For this reason, my parents remain anxious after sending me to school.”
Motorcycle rider Moktar Hossain: “We cross the river using boats during the rainy season. And in the dry season, we need to use a bamboo bridge for our daily commute.”
Boatman Ashu Ali said: “Locals cross the river using boats during the rainy season. When the water of the river dries up, locals make a temporary bridge with bamboo.”
As there is no concrete bridge on the river, locals remain in fear when they cross the river. Strong currents prevail in the river during the rainy season. For this reason, students are at a greater risk as they need to cross the river using boats, said Uarshi Union Parishad Chairman Mahbub Alom Mollik
“On 15 September, a college girl drowned when a boat capsized in the river owing to strong currents. We have urged the local lawmaker Ekabbor Hossain to build a bridge, but to no avail.” he added.
Contacted, Mirzapur Upazila Engineer Arifur Raham, said: We have sent a proposal worth around TK 7 crore to Local Government Division in order to build a 160-metre long bridge on the tributary of Dhaleswari river. I hope the proposal will be sanctioned soon.”
