Rundown Sunamganj road, bridge entirely impassable

SUNAMGANJ, Dec 09 (UNB): The only road and bridge connecting Baliaghat Notun Bazar to Tahirpur Sadar and Boro Badaghat Bazar in Tahirpur Upazila of Sunamganj have become entirely impassable due to lack of repair.

Risking their lives, residents of 20 villages of the upazila cross the dilapidated road and bridge that have remained unrepaired since the last year's flooding.

The bridge situated in front of Khalshajuri Primary School along the road connecting Baliaghat New Market to Kaukandi Bazar and Badaghat Bazar has completely collapsed.

The lack of repair has forced local residents, including school and madrasa students, to cross the broken bridge, putting them at constant risk of accidents, said locals.

Motorcycles and auto-rickshaws carrying passengers are vulnerable to accidents on the damaged bridge.

Locals said during the last flood, waves of Haor water caused extensive damage to both sides of the road.

Residents of the area have voiced their concern over the inaction regarding repair of the bridge and road.

They have collectively demanded that the government should take immediate measures to rebuild the broken bridge and road.

Local resident Nurul Amin said the bridge and road sustained significant damage during the last flood, but no repair work has been undertaken since then.

"Last year, some soil was provided under the Haor Protection Dam Construction. However, when the monsoon rains brought in floods, the bridge and the road collapsed. Subsequently, locals did some temporary repairs by using bamboo sticks, to enable people's movement somehow," he said.

Despite these efforts, auto-rickshaws and motorcycles very often meet accidents on this unstable bridge.

Some students expressed their dismay over the poor condition of the road and bridge.

Motorcyclist Gafur Mia expressed his frustration saying, "We depend on motorcycles for our livelihood. We don't want to ride on broken roads. But we are forced to drive. Accidents occur here every few days while driving on broken the road and the bridge."

Another resident Abul Kalam said, "Even though the road and bridge were badly damaged in the last flood, the local union parishad or LGED has not taken any steps so far."

Safiqul Islam, a ward member, said, "The road and the bridge were destroyed by the waves of Matian Haor during the monsoon. Now these are totally unfit for movement. "

Sripur (North) Union Parish Chairman Ali Haider said, "This road and the bridge have been included into Haor Protection Dam construction work. The work will start in coming Chaitra month."