Online BDRunner
PABNA, May 12: – Almost 54 years have passed since Bangladesh became independent; yet the bridge has not been built on the Berhampur-Mirzapur bridge over the Mara Karatoya River flowing through Nimaichada Union of Chatmohar in Pabna. As a result, the people of 10 to 15 villages on the east and west banks of this river have been suffering for half a century. For about eight months of the year, they have to cross the river by boat and the remaining four months on bamboo bridges with great difficulty. Since the river surrounds the two villages of Berhampur and Belgachi, the two villages have been deprived of development for many years.
It has been learned from on-site investigations that several villages, including Baharampur, Mamakhali, Binyabari, Gaurnagar, Karkola, Bardanagar and Chinabhatkur on the west bank of the river and Mirzapur, Nimaichada, and Gouripur villages on the east bank have Union Parishad, Mirzapur Degree College, schools, madrasas, banks, union land offices and important markets. Thousands of people have to cross this risky river every day to reach these places. When there is water in the river during the rainy season, the only option is to use boats.
In addition, several more villages are located on the east bank of the river. For various needs, people on the west bank of the river have to travel to the east bank and people on the east bank to the west bank. At least 45,000 people from 10 to 12 villages have to rely on boats during the rainy season and bamboo bridges during the dry season to cross the river.
Ali Akbar of Bahrampur village said that during the rainy season, people in this area have to wait on the river bank for a ferry boat. When the water level in the river decreases, a bamboo bridge is built. At that time, they have to cross the river on the bridge, taking risks. For children, the elderly, patients, pregnant women, students or workers, this journey is like a daily battle for life.
Mujibar Rahman of Gaurnagar village said that thousands of people in some villages are suffering every day due to the lack of a Bahrampur-Mirzapur bridge over the Bogalali and Mara Karatoya rivers. The locals are suffering due to the lack of bridges to travel to the union headquarters including Nimaichada Union Parishad, Land Office, Mirzapur Degree College, and Mirzapur Hat. Ferry boats for about seven to eight months during the rainy season, and temporary bamboo bridges over the river in winter; these are the only means of crossing.
Locals complain that if bamboo bridges are still the only means of communication in 21st-century Bangladesh, it is not only disappointing but also a reflection of the negligence of the previous governments.
In this regard, Chatmohar Upazila Engineer Md. Rakib Hossain said that proposals for the construction of eight bridges have been sent to the higher office under the long bridge construction project. This bridge is also among them. The survey, verification and selection have not been done yet. Hopefully, bridges will be built in places of public importance in the future.
Monirul Islam, Executive Engineer of Pabna District of the Local Government and Engineering Department (LGED), said, “Currently, fewer projects are being accepted. However, since the matter is important, recommendations will be made to the higher authorities in this regard.”
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