NETRAKONA: People of 10 villages in Barhatta upazila of the district have been suffering immensely for 18 years as the bridge over the Chakuya Beel does not have approach roads on either side.
Villagers, however, put bamboo bridges on both sides of the bridge to cross the long beel.
According to locals, once the bridge was functional from Teghuria Road to Fakir Bazar with two approach roads. Both the roads, however, were washed away by flood water in 2004.
Since then, the locals alleged, they have to cross the bridge on foot.
According to the locals, the bridge has been the only mode of transportation for the villagers of Jawail, Shimulia, Nakdapara, Chakua, Hapania, Kailati and several villages including Fakir Bazar.
Iqbal Hossain, a pedestrian, said, "Since makeshift bamboo bridges have taken the place of approach roads, farmers have to walk about 10 kilometres to cross the beel with their agricultural products."
"In the absence of a functional bridge, students, children, the elderly and the sick also have to walk a long distance," he added.
Sobahan Islam, a trader, said, "Villagers used to transport goods through the bridge to towns, which is not possible now."
Atiqur Rahman Raju, chairman of the local Raipur Union Parishad (UP), said, "The bridge has been in this condition for so many years but the Local Government Engineering Department authorities do not seem to see the misery of the people."
Contacted, Rabiul Islam, Barhatta Upazila Engineer of the LGED, said, "The construction of the approach roads is going on in several projects. This may take some time. But I hope it will start soon."
