Mallikpur people in desperate need of a bridge at Khalishakhali area

JHENIDAH, Jan 4: Thousands of people from both sides of the Nabogana river flowing through Mallikpur union under Lohagara upazila of Narail district are in a desperate plight in absence of a 60-feet bridge at Khalishakhali area.
Different villages of Mallikpur union in one side and Khalishakhali, Gopinathpur and Rajupur villages of Lohagarp municipality including Charmallikpur of the union in the other side of the Nabogana canal are situated.
Mallikpur union parishad (UP) office, Mallikpur union health complex, Mallikpur Secondary School, Kaumi Madrasa and Mallikpur Govt. Primary School are located on both banks of the canal.
Everyday hundreds of learners of the educational institutions, people coming to the union parishad and the health complex are to cross the bamboo 'sako' (makeshift bridge) taking risk of life.
Child-bearing mothers are deprived of necessary health services as they often do not dare to cross the sako taking risk.
Many a child of tender years get reluctant to attend the primary school crossing the risky sako while many other students who come to the high school crossing the sako have to starve at school at noon as they do not like to go home to take tiffin.
Besides, sometimes little children keep standing near the sako waiting for elderly people to cross it with their help.
Badiar Rahman Mridha, UP member of Mallikpur village, told the FE that the sako was built and is repaired every year with the expense of the students, guardians and other people who use it. The member added that local people rescue many injured children every year who fall from the sako while crossing it.
Saidur Rahman, Chairman of Mallikpur UP told this correspondent that he submitted an application the upazila LGED office for a bridge at Khalishakhali area, but for the reason the authority better knows, steps are yet to be taken in this regard.
Md. Robiul Islam, LGED Engineer, Lohagara upazila said that a brideg at the place is a necessity and he will try best on his part.
When contacted, Syed Md. Azim Uddin, Project Implementation Officer (PIO), Lohagara upazila, told the FE that if enough fund is allocated, he will take steps to build a bridge there.
Rebeka Khanom, Upazila Nirbahi Officer, Lohagara, while contacted, told The Financial Express that after making enquiries about the necessity of a bridge there, she will write to the concerned authorities.