At least a hundred thousand people at three upazilas in Narail and adjacent areas are waiting for a bridge on the River Madhumati that will easy their distresses and will bring a wave of development.
People of Lohagora, Kalia and sadar upazila have to take a boat to cross the river to catch a bus or other vehicle to go to the neighbouring districts—Jessore, Khulna, Gopalganj and the capital Dhaka.
Farmers said they are often deprived of fair prices for their commodities as they cannot carry all their production to town because of transportation problems.
Traders said buyers cannot reach the village markets with their transports to bring agricultural produce, as road communication is unsettled and uncomfortable.
School and college students also have to bear the brunt of poor communication during rainy season.
Rahima, a first year honours student of Lohagora government college, said they often fail to attend classes on time as communications is not easy and frequent in the area.
Neoaz Ahmed, mayor of Lohagora Municipality, said sometimes ill people have to suffer more as they cannot go to hospital on time because of the poor transport system.
A person has to pay Tk10 to cross the river by boat and additional Tk5 for carrying a bicycle, Tk20 for a motorbike, Tk75 for microbus and Tk150 for a bus and truck.
Residents of the upazilas said during election times, candidates come and assure voters of a new bridge. But their “sweet words” go in vain as none had kept their promise so far.
But there is some good news: Communication Minister Obaidul Qader visited Kalna ghat point at Lohagora upazila in Narail yesterday, and said the government approved Tk245 crore last Sunday for Kalna Bridge Project on the River Madhumati.
The minister also made a promise that the tender for the bridge will be called within June this year, and it is expected that the construction of the bridge will be completed within 2017.
Residents of the upazila were delighted after hearing that the bridge will be built very soon, but some remained sceptical. All they want is a bridge over the Madhumati.
