A 494-meter-long bridge is being constructed over the Namakhura River that flows through the Laimpasha village under Mriga union in Itna upazila of haor area, Kishoreganj. The bridge will benefit the people of four districts- Kishoreganj, Habiganj, Mymensingh and Netrokona.
When this correspondent visited the site, it was seen that Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) took the initiative to build the bridge in 2023. Gradually, the bridge is becoming visible. The work of approach road is also going on. The total cost to construct the bridge and the approach road is Tk 70 crores. Although the work is supposed to be finished in 2026, it will be completed in the mid of 2025. As a result, several lakh people of the upazila will get rid of the hardship. Additionally, a new dynamism will be seen among the people of the four districts. Along with general infrastructural changes, there will be significant transformations in the business structures.
The locals said if someone wants to go to Habiganj from Kishoreganj, they won’t have to take a detour anymore. They can cross this bridge and reach their destination in a very short time. Moreover, if someone wants go to Netrokona from Habiganj, they can go through this bridge and save six to seven hours. In the same way, people of this upazila will be able to go to Netrokona, Mymensingh, and Habiganj using this bridge, and their time will be saved as well.
They said that agriculture is the main source of income for people of the four districts. They will be the beneficiaries of the bridge. As the communication system was underdeveloped till now, the middlemen used to go to the field and collect the agricultural products from the farmers with a rate lower than the market price. Now, the farmers will be able to sell their products at the market.
Moreover, a massive change will come in the communication between Itna upazila and Kishoreganj, Mymensingh, Netrokona and Habiganj districts once the construction of the bridge is completed. People of Laimpasha village in Itna upazila, along with some other villages adjacent to Laimpasha, are suffering more due to lack of a bridge.
The residents of Laimpasha village said they have to cross the Namakhura River by boat. They cannot cross the river if there is a little rain. As a result, students, farmers, traders, patients and common people face a lot of difficulties. When the Kheya service (a type of boat to cross the river) is closed, they have to go to the district Sadar by taking a 10km detour if they have any emergency work. Over one lakh people face hardship due to that. An initiative was taken to build a 494-meter-long bridge over the Namakhura River to reduce their hardship. 40 percent work of the bridge has been completed. Their hardship will be alleviated after the bridge is constructed.
Farmer Ismail Mia said that he was selling paddy at Chamchaghat in Karimganj crossing the river by boat for a long time. Many farmers like him transported their paddy in boats. Their difficulties will lessen if a new bridge is constructed.
Local resident Shahid said only we know the hardship we faced as there was no bridge here. The students suffered immensely as well. They had to go to their educational institutions by crossing the river. Now they will not have to face these difficulties.
Mriga Union Parishad Chairman Md Darul Islam said the bridge is not only for Laimpasha village. If the bridge is constructed, it will create a connection with the people of four districts. Time will be saved. They will be able to communicate with the people of Sylhet and Mymensingh in less time. A long-awaited expectation is slowly becoming visible.
The contractor of the work Mominul Haque Selim said they will complete the work before the specific time depending on the allocation. However, we are not receiving the allocation. Moreover, I have Tk 15 crores due in LGED. I am not getting the bill.
Itna Upazila Engineer Noni Gopal Das said it will be possible to send various agricultural products such as paddy, jute, wheat, potato, chili, peanut, corn and fishes of Haor areas in various places within a very short time once the bridge is constructed. It will bring a socio-economic development in the whole area. Moreover, the students of school, college and madrasa will get a good transportation system. So, the education system will be developed.
Executive Engineer of Kishoreganj LGED, Md Amirul Islam, said the work is progressing in full swing, overcoming various obstacles. We hope that we will be able to complete the work before the specific time. The contractor has stocked enough materials. We will pay the final bill after the work is completed.
