Residents of seven villages in Bhuapur upazila of Tangail have been waiting for a bridge over the Louhajang River for decades, with no progress despite repeated promises from elected representatives.
Although roads connect both sides of the river, local residents have to rely on a small boat to cross it, putting thousands of people at risk every day. The situation is particularly difficult for elderly people and school and college students.
The Louhajang River, a branch of the Jamuna, flows past Jowad Ali intersection in the upazila. Around 10,000 people live in seven villages, including Rampur, Gopinakhpur, Rai Basalia, Khandakar Para and Bhuiyan Para, on the northern bank.
With no connecting bridge, the boat is the only means of crossing the river. Students, women, elderly people and other residents use it daily, often having to wait for hours. Patients also face serious difficulties reaching hospitals in emergencies.
At night, the risk increases as boatmen are often unavailable, forcing some residents to swim across the river.
The lack of safe transportation has also affected social life in the villages. Residents said some marriages had been called off because families were reluctant to travel through the risky crossing. They also sometimes cannot visit relatives during emergencies, affecting family ties.
During a recent visit, this correspondent found residents waiting to cross the river by boat. Students and elderly people were among those using the service.
Minhaz Uddin and Bashir Mia of Rampur said they had been using the boat for years to travel to the upazila town and local markets. Crossing the river by boat makes it difficult to transport crops. Children also have to travel to school and college at considerable risk. A bridge here would eliminate many of their problems, they said.
Abdur Rashid of Khandakar Para said the lack of proper transportation had also affected their relationships with relatives. “We sometimes cannot take patients to hospital in time. Children and women face the greatest risk while crossing by boat,” he said.
Badsha Mia, another local resident, said the bridge had been a longstanding demand. “A bridge would improve our children's access to education and help us become economically self-reliant. It would also end our transportation woes,” he said.
Bhuapur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mahbub Hasan said officials had inspected the site. “We found that a bridge here is urgently needed. Discussions will be held with the local lawmaker and relevant authorities, and steps will be taken to build the bridge as soon as possible,” he said.
Local lawmaker Abdus Salam Pintu said that the issue was under consideration. “We are examining whether a bridge can be built at the site and whether it would be technically feasible. Necessary measures will be taken soon after the assessment,” he said.
