People in 30 villages have been suffering for a long time due to the lack of a bridge over Kaonal river of Asma union in Netrakona's Barhatta upazila. So millions of people are crossing the river through bamboo bridge resulting in frequent accidents while passing through the broken bridge.
There has been no bridge over the Kaonal river in the Goral village area on the Manash Bazar road from Asma bazar in Barhatta for the last 60 years. There is a bamboo bridge for the movement of millions of people in 30 villages. It also broke down after a few days.
According to the locals, a paved road from Manash Bazar of Asma Union in Barhatta has been connected with Dashdhar and Ambari roads in Kalmakanda. People from at least 30 villages including Gavar Kanda, Deopur, Bausi, Hajigonj, Shekherpara, and Chaygaon have to use that road. In addition, thousands of students in various educational institutions have to cross the river through the nearly broken bamboo bridge.
They have been demanding construction of a permanent pucca bridge over the river for a long time but to no effect.
Md. Babul Mia, a student of Goral village complained, "We are the neglected people of this region. We have been dreaming of a bridge for a long time but it is sad that our dream remains a dream. They lamented that their fathers and grandfathers had suffered in absence of a bridge and they too suffer now.
Many development works have been done in many parts of the country but a bridge on the river in our area has not been rebuilt. We still hope to see the bridge, he said.
Md. Nazrul Mia Gavar of Kanda village said, "Many people have promised before they become people's representatives to build the bridge on the river, but after the election, no one inquired about the villagers' welfare".
Tariqul, a resident of the same village, said, "Girls at our school cross bamboo bridges at great risk. Many students at the school are being forced to move to another school for fear of crossing the bamboo bridge. Schoolgirls face severe trouble on rainy days.
Asma Union Chairman Abul Hashem said, "It is beyond my capacity." I have asked the MP many times to build the bridge. But it didn't work.
Barhatta Upazila Nirbahi Officer Golam Morshed said, "I am looking into the matter." People in the area need a bridge to travel. Therefore, the paper has been sent to the higher authorities on an urgent basis. Hopefully, if the fund is allocated in the next financial, arrangements will be made to build a bridge over the river.
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