More than 100,000 people from 35 villages of Basail upazila in Tangail have been crossing the Langulia River by a wooden bridge for years as no initiative was taken to build a concrete bridge.
The people of Fulki union of the upazila use the shaky bridge built 10 years ago amid risk of accidents, locals said.
Villagers said although the Langulia River is a small river, it is flooded during high tide in the monsoon. However, it completely dries up during the dry season. People of the area, who depend on agriculture for their livelihood, suffer a lot due to the lack of a concrete bridge over the river.
Locals from Basail, and adjacent Kalihati upazila are currently using the bridge to cross the river for their daily purposes. School children and patients are the worst sufferers due to the problem.
Besides, small businessmen and farmers of the 35 villages including Fulki, Khatra, Balla and Kazirpur villages have been facing problems day after day as their daily business activities are being hampered due to the lack of a permanent bridge.
Speaking to this correspondent, vegetable trader Rajbongshi from Khatra village said: “We have been facing problems due to the lack of a permanent bridge as we need to transport goods to our shops from different places.”
Sabbir Ahmed, a fourth grader from Kaulzani Board Bazar Government Primary School said: “During rainy season, I remain in fear as I need to go to school by crossing the river by boat.”
Farmer Jamsher Ali said: “We cross the river using boats during the rainy season. And in the dry season, we need to use the wooden bridge for our daily commute.”
Boatman Hashem Ali said: “Locals cross the river using boats during the rainy season. When the water of the river dries up, locals make a temporary bridge with bamboo.”
Locals urged the authorities concerned to build a bridge on the river immediately considering the woes of the locals.
As there is no concrete bridge on the river, locals remain in fear when they cross the river. Strong currents prevail in the river during the rainy season. For this reason, students are at a greater risk as they need to cross the river using boats, said Basail Union Parishad Chairman Kazi Olid Islam.
Contacted, Basail Upazila Engineer Rojdid Ahmed said: “We have sent a proposal to the Local Government Division in order to build a bridge on the river. I hope the proposal will be sanctioned soon.”
