People’s suffering mounts as bridge over Ghagot river still remains elusive

RANGPUR, Feb 26:  Sufferings of the people of two unions under Gangachhara upazila in Rangpur district have mounted due to absence of a permanent bridge over river Ghaghot at Jahir Para Kaderer ghat area.    
Sources said about 20,000 people at different villages including Banglapara, Jahirpara at Alombiditor union and Bagdohra, Boirati at Nohali union of the upazila have long been suffering much, as the areas are almost detached from upazila headquarters owing to lack of a permanent bridge over the river.  
Since people cannot travel between the upazila headquarters and other places by crossing the river without any difficulty, educational, business and public health services are seriously being hampered in the areas.  
Traders and farmers are suffering immensely on account of communication problem as they need to carry their products to upazila markets for sale.  
Mominul Islam (45), a farmer of Banglapara village said they are often deprived of fair prices of their produce which they cannot carry easily to the upazila headquarters due to absence of a bridge.
Aggrieved local people expressed their disappointment saying that successive local government authorities could not construct a bridge over the river though they made pledges for it many times. Whenever election comes closer candidates woo voters assuring them of constructing a bridge over the river but once it is over the elected representative becomes oblivious to the commitment, they further said.

Blacksmiths in hardship
Another report from Our Correspondent says:  The blacksmiths in Rangpur district are passing hard days because of price hike of raw materials in recent years.
Due to abnormal price hike of raw materials such as iron, coal and fuel have during last few years, the blacksmith are facing serious problem in continuing their business, sources said.
Besides, they never get fair prices for their products due to lack of marketing facilities. Therefore, they are often compelled to sell their products at prices less than the production costs.
There were 2,500 blacksmith families in 8 upazilas of the district but presently the number has reduced to about 950.
Many of them had relinquished their ancestral profession and had taken up new jobs. The blacksmith families have urged the government to take adequate steps for their survival.