A 36-meter-long bridge is being constructed over the Baral River at a cost of around Tk 3 crore in the Natun Bazar Kheyaghat area of Chatmohar in Pabna district. When the construction work of this bridge is completed, it is expected that thousands of people of Chatmohar will benefit from this. Residents of Kumargara and Barasingha villages in Bilchalan Union on the north bank of the river will benefit the most from the completion of the bridge.
It is learned that Baral River, an offshoot of the Ganges, which starts its journey at Charghat Upazila of Rajshahi District of Bangladesh, has flowed through Chatmohar municipality and Bilchalan union. At one time, the people of Bilchalan, Gunaigachha, Nimaichara and Handial Union on the north bank of the river used to cross the new market of Chatmohar by ferry and come to the Upazila Sadar. To facilitate river crossing, the river was filled almost three decades ago with a cross embankment along the river. Besides, fish farming continues in the closed reservoirs of the river. The Baral River Protection Committee started a movement to restore the Baral River. When the Chatmohar-Mannannagar link road was widened and rebuilt, a bridge was built over the Baral River at the Jardis junction of Chatmohar a few years ago. The crossroads of the new market ferry were removed. The people of Kumargara and Barasingha villages built bamboo bridges at this place of the river and started moving on it at risk. People from Bilchalan, Gunaigachha, Nimaichara and Handial Union started traveling on the bridge at Jardis junction area. Residents of Kumargara and Barasingha villages of Bilchalan Union had to come to the Upazila Sadar by visiting Jardis Mor or Bonthar Ghat. So they will enjoy the most benefits in building this bridge.
Mozammel Haque of Kumargarh village said that if the bridge is built in this area,, vehicles will be able to travel on the bridge in the area of Jardis junction and also on this bridge. The Jardis junction is the busiest area, causing frequent traffic jams. Once the construction work is completed, vehicles will be able to cross the Chatmohar-Mannannagar link road over the bridge at New Bazar Kheyaghat area. As a result, residents of Kumargara and Barasingha villages as well as thousands of people of four unions will benefit.
Chatmohar Upazila Engineer Md. Sultan Mahmud said that the contract price of the 36 meter long bridge has been fixed at Tk Bashundhara House Builders, a contractor from Naogaon district, is constructing the bridge. Work start date is 10 March 2021. The construction of the bridge is expected to be completed by September 3. When the construction work is completed, the people of Chatmohar will get the benefits.
