Photo : Messenger
A makeshift and perilous bamboo bridge spanning a branch canal of the Padma River has become the sole lifeline for thousands of villagers in Zajira Upazila of Shariatpur District.
The absence of a concrete bridge has forced the local population, approximately 15,000 individuals across multiple unions, to rely on this risky crossing method, turning their daily river crossings into life-threatening endeavors.
The hazardous practice of navigating the river on bamboo rafts has resulted in a surge of accidents, posing a significant threat to the lives of those dependent on this precarious mode of transportation. In East Naodoba Union, a daunting reality persists, with villages such as Palarchar Union witnessing students risking their safety daily to reach educational institutions like Amzadia Government Primary School, East Naodoba Public High School, Kindergarten Garden, Women's Madrasa, Government B K Nagar Bangabandhu College, and Zajira Degree College at the Upazila headquarters.
Unfortunately, students often sustain injuries while traversing the water, leading to damage to their books and personal belongings. The lack of a bridge has become a significant obstacle for students attending these institutions, with over a hundred students reportedly stranded on the other side of the river, as reported by M. A. Israfil Morol, a representative of a local primary school.
The absence of a bridge not only hampers the educational pursuits of the local populace but also adversely affects agricultural activities. Local farmer Haydar Akand laments the challenges faced in transporting agricultural products to the market. Forced to take alternative routes, farmers incur double transportation costs, ultimately reducing profits from their produce.
Jahir Islam, a student of Palarchar College, recalls the shift from boat travel to bamboo rafts after a storm-induced boat accident in 2013. Unfortunately, the bamboo rafts have proven to be unreliable, frequently breaking down and disrupting the daily commute for students.
Montu Robidas, a local bamboo raft maker, highlights the adverse impact on the communities of Palerchar, East Naodoba, Bara Kandi, Kunderchar, Majhirchar, B K Nagar, and Baro Harinakundo. Robidas passionately advocates for the construction of a bridge, emphasizing the manifold benefits it would bring to the region.
Acknowledging the severe inconvenience faced by residents, Altaf Hossain Khan, Chairman of the Union Parishad (UP) of East Naodoba, underscores the vital importance of the proposed bridge. He emphasizes that the construction of the bridge would significantly improve communication across several areas, providing much-needed convenience for the general public.
Addressing these pressing concerns, Imon Molla, the District Engineer of LGED (Local Government Engineering Department), assures the community that a proposal for the construction of a bridge over the river in East Naodoba Union has been submitted for inspection. Molla expresses optimism that the implementation of the bridge project will commence soon, alleviating the hardships faced by the people in the region on your 1-year birthday.
Messenger/ Imran/Shahin
