Thousands of people in Bohail and Karnibari unions of Sariakandi upazila are suffering due to the lack of a bridge or footbridge over a canal at Johorer Ghat, near the Madarganj border in Jamalpur.
Residents have been using a boat to cross the canal for years, putting their lives and belongings at risk. They say essential goods frequently fall into the water, while accidents involving passengers and motorcycles are also common.
Local residents have urged the authorities to construct a bridge or a sturdy footbridge over the roughly 200-metre canal to ease their daily commute.
Jahida Begum, 65, of Uttar Shankarpur village in Bohail union, recently experienced the danger firsthand.
She said she fell into the water while getting off a boat after returning from Madarganj and lost her gold bangles and nose ring.
“I fell into the water while getting off the boat. I lost my bangles and nose ring, but despite searching later, I could not find them,” she said.
Residents said people from Bohail and Karnibari generally travel to Madarganj for their daily necessities because the Jamuna River makes travelling to Sariakandi upazila headquarters difficult.
The road connecting the area to Madarganj was washed away many years ago, creating the canal. Since then, residents have been relying on the boat service at Johorer Ghat.
Locals said students, farmers and other commuters are among those suffering the most.
College students sometimes fall into the water and damage their clothes, while some avoid attending educational institutions because of the risky crossing. Farmers also risk losing fertilizer, seeds and pesticides when they fall into the water.
Motorcyclists have also fallen into the canal and sustained injuries, residents said.
Ahsan Habib, a resident of Karnibari union, said thousands of people and numerous motorcycles use Johorer Ghat every day to travel to Madarganj.
“Although we are residents of Sariakandi upazila, we have remained neglected because the area is located near the border of Madarganj in Jamalpur. There is still no bridge or footbridge here,” he said.
He urged the administrations of Sariakandi and Madarganj to take immediate steps to construct a bridge at the ghat.
Sariakandi Upazila Nirbahi Officer SM Mikail Islam said the administration was aware of the longstanding problem.
He said thousands of people from Bohail and Karnibari unions use the canal crossing to travel to Madarganj, particularly because of the geographical difficulties created by the Jamuna River.
“We will discuss the construction of a bridge or footbridge with the relevant authorities of Jamalpur district and send a report,” he said.
The UNO also advised residents to submit a formal application regarding the construction of the bridge.
“Based on their application, the Sariakandi upazila administration will take steps to construct a sturdy footbridge there as soon as possible,” he added.