প্রকাশিত: জানুয়ারি ২৭, ২০২২, ০৩:৩৬ এএম
A bridge that stands out with eye-catching colour is Sitaijhar Bridge. The bridge has enhanced the beauty of the village. However, the bridge is not useful to villagers, as there is no connecting road to the bridge. So the bridge does not bring blessing for the villagers, instead, it is a cause of burden.
But if there was a connecting road, about 20,000 people from 10 villages of the three unions could cross the beautiful Sitaijhar Bridge.
According to the project implementation department, a bridge was built behind the house of Hader Goyal in Sitaijhar village of Mughalbasa union in Kurigram district at a cost of Tk 31.50 lakh. The road connecting the two banks was cut off in the floodwaters before the bridge was completed.
It can be seen on the spot visit that this 18 feet long bridge was built for the movement of people in Mughalbasa, Panchgachhi and Begumganj unions of Kurigram district Sadar in the financial year 2018-19. The construction of the bridge brought relief to the people of the three unions. Educational institutions were formed in the vicinity. People are waiting for the official inauguration of the bridge as it will also facilitate commuting to the markets. But the flood of 2018 shattered those hopes and dreams. Before the inauguration, the road connecting the two sides of the bridge was broken by the floodwaters. As a result, it became unsuitable for movement. The locals fell into extreme suffering. So even if they build a bamboo bridge, the villagers have to cross it with risk. Although three years have passed since the construction of the bridge, the locals are angry as there is no connecting road.
Abdul Latif, a local, said, "One kilometre away from here are the community clinic, Nayarhat Bazar, Madrasa and Nayarhat High School. Thousands of people use this road every day. During the dry season, cropland is lost on the way under the bridge. And in the rainy season, there is extreme misery. There are no alternative roads. So one has to go three or four kilometres to reach the destination. After many pursuits, the bridge was built. But I still cannot get my feet on the bridge.'
Nazmul Islam, a student, said when I go to school during the flood, I slipped from the bridge and fell into the water. Clothes and books get wet. I do not go to school anymore.
Local UP member Lokman Ali said, "As soon as the bridge was built, the connecting road was broken with the flood. The concerned authorities have not taken any action in the last three years. The department has been contacted in various ways. Even though they came and estimated, I still do not see any tender or work. '
Upazila Project Implementation Officer Khandaker Mohammad Fizanur Rahman said, "I am aware of Sitaijhar Bridge. Necessary steps will be taken to expedite the work of connecting road.”
HA
