Bridge with dilapidated approach roads in Kumarkhali turns risky

JHENIDAH, Mar 07: A 36-foot bridge whose approach roads were swept away by the massive waves of the Kali River eight years ago has turned risky for the people of seven villages in Kumarkhali upazila of Kushtia.
Constructed in front of the Bagulat Union Parishad office, by the Ministry of Relief and Rehabilitation on the Kali River years ago the bridge has been lying useless as villagers cannot use it due to the absence of connecting roads on both sides.
Hundreds of people from different villages including Shalgharmadhua, Kachari Para, Dudhkumra Khalparh are compelled to take a roundabout way through Banchgram and Durbachara Bazar to go to Kushtia.
They need to reach the district headquarters via Bangshital Roller intersection covering an extra path of 3 km to 4 km.
Khairul Islam of Shalgharmadhua village said, "The suffering of the persons who do their services in different offices in Kushtia and traders running businesses there knows no bounds in absence of approach roads of the important bridge. They cross the long fragile bamboo 'chorat' (temporary crossing means) with their cycles risking their lives."
Babul, a resident of the same area said, "The destroyed approach roads immediately need reconstruction. In the rainy season they appear to be more dangerous to cross the bridge. Vermicular movements are quite impossible as the rickety approach roads remain risky throughout the year."
Alauddin Khan, chairman of Shalgharmadhua said, "The bridge is too small to work here on the river. We demand an extension of the existing bridge along with approach roads for smooth communication, adding that the unplanned construction of the bridge has been a cause of trouble to cross it."
The local people badly in need of using the bridge urged the authorities concerned to solve their communication problem making the connecting roads of the bridge as early as possible.
Project Implementation Officer (PIO), Kumarkhali, Kushtia, Md. Mahmudul Islam said, "The bridge was built by the Ministry of Relief and Rehabilitaion nine years ago. We cannot construct a bridge longer than 36 feet."
"The local MP Barrister Selim Altaf Gorge assured us to give allotment from food for work programme in the next financial year to make approach roads of the bridge", he added.

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