People of nine villages under Jhenaidah Sadar upazila have to suffer a lot every day as the lone bridge that connects the district headquarters to the villages has been lying in a rundown state for several years.
The locals said although four big holes had developed on the bridge in the last 10 years, authorities concerned did not take a single measure to fix the hole, much to cause frustration among them.
Safiqul Islam, a resident of Panami village, said a man had died falling into a hole a few months back.
He said: “It has become a common phenomenon that somebody falls into a hole and get hurt, but there is no way to get rid of the situation.”
According to local people the bridge has been constructed over Ganga-Kapotakho canal by the Water Development Board about 40 years ago to facilitate the communication of people living in the nine villages.
The Fazilpur-Hatgopalpur road where the bridge is located is very significant for local people to transport their agri-produces.
Tariqul Islam, 65, a resident of Pancpakia village, said he had to suffer every year after harvest of winter crops.
“This year, I have cultivated potatoes on 10 decimals of land. We have already harvest potatoes. As people of my village have to spend extra money for transportation of agri-produces, they get less profit compared to other potatoes growers.
He said with agri-produces, growers who depend on Ganga-Kapotakho bridge have to travel extra kilometres for the sorry state of the road for which the production cost of crops increased to a great extent.
He said no vehicle except bicycle could run on the bridge for the last fours years for the sorry state.
Ukil Hossain of Chandrajani village, fell into a hole and received injuries. Later, he succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at a hospital a few months back.
Nazrul Islam, who resides near the bridge, said thousands of people of Panchpakia, Jugni, Bagni, Abaipur, Goloknagar, Bakri, Panami, Chandrajani and Rupda depended on the bridge for communication.
He said: “The farmers are in great difficulties with their products as they have to travel more four-three kilometers with their outputs to reach district town.”
He said he had got bumper yield of pulse this year as weather was suitable for cultivation and he got seeds and agri-input in time.
Habibur Rahman, an inhabitant of Panchpakia village, said his father Alam Mollah had fell into one of the holes and his right hand got fractured. Iltut Biswas, a resident of Kripalpur village, also fell into the same hole and was injured severely.
Amjad Hossain Mollah, chairman of Abaipur union parishad, said locals had repaired a big hole with timber which was not enough. He said he had informed the officials of the WDB several times, but there was no response.
Assistant Engineer of WDB Nazrul Islam in Shailokupa upazila said the bridge had damaged due to movement of heavy vehicle. He said they would take steps soon in this regard.