House built on bridge in Netrakona!

NETRAKONA, May 08: A house has been built on a bridge at Faridpur village in Chakua union under Khaliajuri upazila of Netrakona district. People of the Jalmahal area have been living on the bridge for nearly three years. As a result, pedestrians are walking under the bridge.
Visiting the area, this correspondent has come to know that the house has been built on two-thirds of the bridge. The people of Jalmahal, which is leased in the name of Faridpur Fishermen's Cooperative Society, have constructed the house.
Locals said the bridge was built six years ago. As there is no approach road on both sides of the bridge, vehicles cannot use it. In the fiscal year 2016-17, a 38-foot paved bridge was constructed over the canal adjacent to Jalmahal in the Faridpur area.
It has been learnt that there is a four-kilometre road from Lepsia Bazar to Jagannathpur via Faridpur. About 10-12 thousand people from at least 12 villages including Faridpur, Lepsia, Fatua, Rashidpur, Chakua, and Jagannathpur use this important road every day during the dry season.
Md Russel Mia, a resident of Fatwa village, said, "The bridge and the road were constructed six years ago, but the people in the area are not getting any benefit from it. Despite repeated request, the authorities concerned have yet to build the connecting road."
Tariqul Mia, a college student of Faridpur village, said, "Since the construction of the bridge, people have not been able to use it."
"If approach road on both sides of the bridge is built, easybikes and CNG vehicles can easily ply the road. People's suffering will be alleviated," he added.
Abu Siddique, president of Faridpur Fishermen's Cooperative Society, said, "If we can build an earth road on both sides of the bridge, we will immediately demolish the house".
Rajib Ahmed, Khaliajuri Upazila Project Implementation Officer, said, "Water will enter the Haor in a few days. Then the road will go under water. We have plans to build the connecting road on both sides of the bridge during the coming dry season. As there is a bypass under the bridge, small vehicles and people face no problem."
Khaliajuri Upazila Nirbahi Officer HM Ariful Islam said, "Necessary steps will be taken to solve the problem."
Deputy Commissioner Kazi Abdur Rahman said, "It has come to my notice. Talking to the department concerned, the problem will be solved by constructing an approach road and removing the house."

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