Thousands suffer for lack of a bridge in Shailakupa

Our Correspondent | Published: July 10, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

JHENIDAH, July 9: Around 20,000 people of Monohorpur and Umedpur unions under Shailakupa upazila in Jhenidah have been suffering for long due to lack of a bridge over the Kumar River at Aruakandi-Bishnodia ghat.
Bishnodia village is eight km away from the upazila headquarters and Aruakandi village is just over the river. Monohorpur union is on the north-western side of the river while Umedpur union is located on its south-eastern side.
People of eight villages of Monohorpur union namely Monohorpur, Bijolia, Luxmipur, Bishnodia, Simantobazar, Damukdia, Madhopur and Mohishadanga use a bamboo-made bridge locally known as Sako to pass through the river to different destinations bearing many hobbles.
On the other hand, residents of seven villages under Umedpur union namely, Umedpur, Taminnagor, Aruakandi, Goyalbaria, Parbotipur, Shastipur and Krishnopur face presumptions while crossing the river both by boats and a Sako.
People cross the river by boats in the rainy season and through Bamboo-made Sako during dry season risking their lives, locals said.
As there is a scanty number of educational institutions in Monohorpur union, students regularly attending different schools of Umedpur union are the worst sufferers. They often cannot reach classes in due time.
Mirazul Islam, a trader of Taminnagor village, said after buying agricultural products as well as vegetables from the villagers they always are bound to cover additional distance to sell them at markets.
At least 12 km distance would be reduced between upazila headquarters, and it would improve a radical change of communication if a bridge was established at Aruakandi ghat, some people of Damukdia village said. Alamgir Hossain, an ex-UP member of Bishnodia village told the FE that Aruakandi ghat is the only way for 15000-20000 people of two unions. "The bambbo-Sako can be used merely for 2-3 months, and we need to cross the river by boats during the rest of the year, he said.
Everyday market-goers, farmers, traders and service-holders face many hassles while crossing the river, said Advocate Asadur of Aruakandi village.
Plenty of vegetables are produced at 5-7 villages, including Bishnodia and Luxmipur villages. Growers cannot reach Shailakupa and Jhenidah haats fast thus and so they suffer losses, he added.
Anwar Hossain, a farmer of Taminnagor village said that peasants are forced to sell their agricultural products at lower rates to middlemen for lack of an easy communication system.
While contacted, Upazila LGED office, Shailakupa, told the FE that feasibility studies for a bridge at Aruakandi ghat was already done and necessary steps by the higher authorities are yet to be taken.    
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