BENAPOLE, Feb 02: Several hundred people, including schoolchildren, cross the Chitra river through a bamboo- made bridge daily risking their lives.
The bamboo bridge on the Chitra river adjacent to Khanpur Bazar under Bagharpara upazila of Jashore district is the only means of communication in the area. People including students feel panicky to cross this bamboo made bridge. Several accidents occurred recently over the bridge.
Local people appealed several times to the authorities concerned to build a concrete bridge replacing the bamboo made one. However, getting no positive response from anywhere, local people have been repairing the bamboo bridge every year. They purchase bamboo poles collecting toll from local people and Khanpur Bazaar committee supervises the repair work.
Ashoke Biswas, president of bazar committee, said the Khanpur Haat is held two days a week -- Friday and Monday. More than 50 farmers of various villages come to the hat to sell their commodities on every hat day. This bamboo made bridge is the only way of carrying their goods to the hat.
Moreover, several hundred students of various schools and colleges regularly cross this bamboo bridge to reach and return from their institutions regularly. Guardians of minor school children always remain worried for security of their wards while crossing this bridge to attend their schools. He demanded at least a bailey bridge over the river.
A large number of people of Seemakhali, Katoli, Belghoria, Harishpur, Kholabaria, Aruakandi and Panchkaunia villages regularly cross the bamboo bridge to visit various places. More than three hundred students of Khanpur Siddikia Dakhil Madrasha, Khanpur Secondary High School and Khanpur Government Primary School use this bamboo bridge
Nazma Khatun, a student of class X of Khanpur Secondary School said She fell from the bamboo bridge into the water of the river several times and also was injured. But, having no other way, she is forced to use the same risky bridge.
Another student Abdur Rahman of class VIII said he and along with his fellows regularly cross the bridge to reach their school.
Shahidul Islam, headmaster of Khanpur Secondary School, said students feel panicky to cross this large bamboo bridge. Many of the students also got injured falling from the bridge while crossing it. He demanded construction of a concrete bridge by replacing the existing one.
Taher Abul Sarder, Chairman of Narikelbaria union said he appealed to the department concerned to construct a bridge on the river by replacing the bamboo bridge.