Residents of Sakhipur and Basail upazila in Tangail are demanding a bridge over the Bangshi river for a long time. Almost 20,000 people of 14 villages in the two upazilas are suffering for a want of bridge there.
Bangshi river separates the Sakhipur and Basail Upazila. People of both sides of the river are demanding a bridge over the river for a long time. Bamboo made bridge in the dry season and boats in the monsoon are the only ways of crossing the river for the people. People have to travel additional 30 kilometers to reach the Sadar Upazila if there are heavy goods or patient with them.
When the correspondent visited the place on-site, he learned that a bamboo made bridge is installed over the Bangshi river in Boroitola area under Dariapur union of Sakhipur Upazila. People from both sides of the river, especially students, cross the river through this bridge. However, boat is their only option to cross the river during the monsoon. Almost 20,000 people of these two Upazilas are suffering due to this. There are two high schools, four primary schools, three madrasas, four kindergarten schools and four weekly markets on both sides of the river.
Hakim Mia, an elderly of Dariapur village, said the politicians say they will make a bridge over the river during the election. However, they don’t do anything about it. He said he was hearing from his youth that a bridge would be built there. He has become old now. Still no bridge was built there.
Another elderly person Azgar Ali said many Member of Parliaments and Chairmen told them they would build a bridge there. However, he doesn’t think he will see a bridge before his death.
Nahid Mia said young boys and girls of the surrounding areas cross the river with risk. People of the area make a 100-gauge bamboo bridge during the dry season for their movement. However, the bridge goes under water during the monsoon. People use boats to cross the river at that time. Students from both sides of the river suffer as a result. He said they want a bridge. They will benefit from all sides if a bridge is built there.
Al Amin of Dariapur village said students go to school with risk while crossing the river using the bamboo made bridge and boats. Many students fell victim to accidents due to that. People even died as boat capsized in the river. He said they demand a bridge over the river. Then they will not have to suffer anymore.
Saiful Islam from Gilabari village said no bridge was built over the river in Boroitola Ghat even after 53 years of the independence. Chairmen and MPs have promised them about the bridge many times. However, none has kept the promise. They will be benefitted from all sides, including economically, if the bridge is built. They will not have to take a different route anymore.
Farmer Sanwar Mia of Gilabari village said they would have to cross eight kilometers with patients, crops and vegetables to go to Sakhipur if there was a bridge there. Now they have to travel additional 30 kilometers for that. They cannot take pregnant women and elderly people to the hospital in time. There is no end to their sufferings. They demanded a bridge.
Another farmer Moti Mia said they have to face a lot of problems when they go to the market to sell their paddy. They cannot get a good price if they cannot go to the market on time. Moreover, no ambulance can go to the area to carry the patients. If a bridge is built there, they will be benefitted financially and it will take less time to travel as well.
Dariapur Union Parishad Chairman Ansar Ali Asif said he talked to the local MP about the bridge. The MP said he is discussing about it. It will be brought up in ECNEC meeting. The MP promised that they will build a bridge there very soon, he said.
Sub-Assistant Engineer of Sakhipur Local Government Engineering Department, Abdul Jalil Mia, said a proposal was sent for the bridge. Further measures will be taken to build the bridge if the proposal is granted.
