Mostafizur Rahman, Gaibandha (Saghata, Fulchhari):
Nearly 1,500 people in Gaibandha's Saghata and Fulchhari upazilas risk their lives every day to cross a rickety bridge made of thin tree poles and thin wooden decks. The pressure of vehicles and the regular movement of pedestrians has loosened the wooden decks, and the lower poles are in a shaky state. As a result, a major accident could happen at any moment.
Locals said that during last year's floods, two parts of the main road at the crematorium in Uttar Ulya area of Saghata upazila collapsed due to the flow of water. At that time, a temporary wooden bridge was built at the initiative of the union parishad. However, that too has now become unusable.
Local resident Abdur Rahman said, "Every year when floods occur, the road in this area breaks. As a result, we have to use the bridge that has been built as an alternative. But it is very weak and dangerous. We are very afraid to send our children to school."
"The bridge has become extremely dangerous, especially for children and the elderly like us," said Amina Begum, in her sixties. "It becomes even more slippery in the winter morning fog, increasing the risk of accidents."
Bharatkhali Union Parishad Chairman and retired army member Faruk Hossain Mondal said, "The people of that area are in extreme distress. The Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) has inspected the matter on the spot. Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) authorities have also inspected the scene." He also said that the survey for the construction of the bridge has been completed and it is expected that the bridge will be built locally soon.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Ishaq Ali said, "After hearing the news that the road had collapsed in last year's flood, I came to the spot and suggested to the Union Parishad Chairman to build a temporary bridge. Currently, the survey has been completed for the construction of a permanent bridge, now we will send a proposal."
Due to the severe suffering, the locals have demanded the immediate construction of a permanent bridge. According to them, although the bridge is a temporary solution, it is not effective in the long term. If a permanent bridge is not constructed quickly, a major accident can occur at any time. Local residents are waiting to see whether the authorities will take immediate action in this regard.
Md. Mostafizur Rahman,
Gaibandha (Saghata Fulchhari) Correspondent
