The only way of crossing a canal for people of five nearby villages including Kismatpur village of Kankrabunia union of Mirzaganj upazila of Patuakhali is the dangerous bamboo bridge. This bamboo bridge is built on the Panchkari Canal adjacent to the house of Khokon Khandkar of that village. At present, sandkoti has become dilapidated and wobbly, creating a dangerous situation.
Even though the face of various towns has changed over the years, no bridge has been built here instead of a bamboo bridge. Recently Kismatpur Khatasia rural road has been paved but the suffering of the people of Kewabunia, Bhang, Jhopkhali, Chaulabunia and Kismat Khatasia villages is not over due to lack of a bridge. Every day hundreds of people of these 5 villages travel through this Sanko. When the monsoon comes, the suffering reaches its peak. School-college children suffer a lot. Crossing bamboo poles becomes dangerous during storms. Residents are constantly traveling through bamboo poles risking their lives.
Locals said that the students of Kismat Khatasia Government Primary School, Delwar Hossain College, West Kankrabunia Girls' School, Gabua Janata Secondary School have to walk on this road every day at the risk of their lives. Apart from this, the local people use this Sanko to travel to some nearby markets (Shingbari, Kankrabunia, Gabua, Gazipura Bazar) and Union Parishad for various needs. After crossing this Sanko, the sick patients of the area have to go to Upazila Sadar Hospital for treatment. Despite the long-standing demands of the local residents, the authorities concerned have not taken any initiative to construct the link bridge.
Going to the surface, it is known that about a century ago, a Sanko was constructed there with betel nut and bamboo at the initiative of the villagers. People are crossing with the risk of life with that bag. Local residents Zahid Hossain and Nayan Kabiraj were going to work by crossing this road. When we spoke to them, they said that even though paved roads have been constructed in this village, the people of the village are facing various problems in the fields of education, medicine and agriculture as there is no bridge here. Former female member of the concerned ward, Mosa Farzana Yasmin, said that people from different villages used to travel through this Sanko. People of Upazila project office inspected and measured Sanko 7-8 years ago, but till date the bridge has not been constructed.
Upazila Engineer Ashikur Rahman said that crossing Sanko is dangerous. However, arrangements will be made after visiting the site and talking to the higher authorities.
