A promised bridge remains elusive to Narail people

JHENIDAH, Apr 6: Millions of people of three upazilas of Narail are in great distress in absence of a bridge over the Chitra river at the old ferry ghat here.

Many important government and non-government offices including district administration office, Zila Parishad bungalow, food office, court building, Treasury, Diabetic Samity, PDB office, police station, post office and main branches of many commercial banks are located within 300 yards of the ghat .

The ferry ghat, the main entrance to Narail town, for the people of Auria, Banchgram and Sebanandopur unions of Sadar upazila, different unions and two municipalities of Lohagara and Kalia  upazilas has virtually turned an arduous waterway.

The people have either to cross this wharf by boats undergoing great hazards or to cover an additional distance of 8 kilometres to take across the nearest SM Sultan bridge over the Chitra river at Uzirpur area.

People's adversities and sufferings have multiplied since suspension of ferry operation here five years back.

Whereas a patient could be taken to Narail Sadar hospital in 15 minutes, for absence of the bridge it takes more than one hour to reach it.

Hundreds of learners studying in various educational institutions like in Narail Boys' School, Girls' School and colleges need to pass the river by boats even during storms, rain taking risk of life and during water hyacinths  they are bound to keep standing helpless in queues for about 30 minutes to one hour.

Office-goers also take across the river with troubles and risks, sometimes being late to get at their working places in time.

A boat overloaded with 30/35 passengers move through risky situations.

Fire brigade vehicles cannot reach the spots fast, sometimes resulting in great losses due to burning of valuables just over the river.

Ambulances cannot be used in emergency periods for carrying serious patients over there.

At times the attempts of the police to arrest miscreants and criminals become futile for troublesome communication system at the ghat.

Every passenger has to pay Tk. 2 to the boatman, and Tk. 2 to the leaseholders, while Tk. 10 by the boatman and Tk. 10 by the lessee is realised against a motorcycle, said tradesman Md. Aksir Ali.  

The ferry ghat and four lanes intersection area are the main business centre of Narail town. But for a bridge the businesses are passing through a very bad time.

Md. Zahangir Alam, a pharmacist of Medicine Corner at the ghat told the FE though PM Sheikh Hasina in her election manifesto in a meeting at Kurirdob field at Rupganj in Narail town five years ago had promised to take a move to construct a bridge over the Chitra river at the old ferry ghat, it is yet to be started.

Md. Abu Kamal, Senior Assistant Engineer, Narail LGED told The Financial Express, "As per the demand of the Planning Ministry, we sent a reconstructed DPP to the authority concerned with explanation of increase in the total project cost estimated at Tk 249.12 million due to cost hike of different items.''