For eight years, residents of Purba Dhanyaram Abasan and Bagh Khawar Char villages in Baravita Union of Phulbari upazila, Kurigram, have struggled with crippling transport problems after a newly built bridge collapsed before it could even be used.
The 40-foot bridge, constructed during the 2017–18 fiscal year under the Department of Disaster Management at a cost of Tk30.77 lakh, overturned just three months after completion.
Locals blame poor-quality materials and faulty construction for the failure, which occurred under the supervision of the then upazila Project Implementation Officer (PIO).
Since then, the collapsed structure has stood as a symbol of neglect.
Flooding later washed away the connecting road, worsening the isolation of the two villages.
Despite multiple inquiries by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the upazila administration, no public report has been released, and no action has been taken against those responsible.
With no replacement bridge or alternative crossing built, villagers now rely on makeshift rafts made from plastic drums and ropes to get across the canal linking the Nilkamal and Dharla rivers.
More than 200 families depend on this route to reach Phulbari’s upazila headquarters, markets, and schools.
“It’s risky every day,” said Monowara Begum, a resident.
“We have to pull a rope to cross the canal on a drum raft. It’s especially hard for children and the sick. We just want a proper bridge.”
Shahidul, a ninth-grade student, said school life has become an ordeal.
“We cross the canal like this every morning. Many times, students fall into the water and lose their books. A bridge would change everything.”
Repeated attempts to reach Phulbari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Rehenuma Tarannum were unsuccessful.
Kurigram Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sifat Mehnaz, however, said the issue would be examined.
“If we receive a formal petition from residents, necessary measures will be taken under government procedure to restore communication,” she said.
For now, the villagers continue their daily struggle, crossing the water by hand, hoping their long wait for a bridge will finally end.