RAJARHAT, KURIGRAM, June 17: Residents of several villages in Rajarhat Upazila are facing severe hardship after the collapse of the only wooden footbridge over a canal excavated by the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) near Bachhra Eidgah Field in Nazimkhan Union.
With no alternative road or crossing facility available, local people are being forced to cross the canal at considerable risk, prompting renewed demands for the construction of a permanent bridge.
Locals said the wooden structure had long served as the sole means of communication for residents of the surrounding villages. Farmers, students, day-labourers and people from various walks of life relied on the bridge for their daily commute.
According to residents, recent monsoon rains and strong water currents damaged the bridge's pillars and foundation, eventually rendering it unusable.
They said BMDA had deepened the canal several years ago to improve water flow, but the increased depth and stronger currents during the rainy season gradually eroded the soil beneath the bridge, weakening its foundation. Although villagers repaired the structure several times on their own initiative, the efforts failed to provide a lasting solution.
Residents recalled that the bridge was originally built by former Union Parishad chairman Jamal Uddin to ease movement in the area. Despite the passage of several years, no government agency has constructed a permanent bridge or culvert at the site.
The bridge was repaired again last year with financial support from local residents and Union Parishad Chairman Abdul Malek Patwari. However, it collapsed once more during the latest spell of heavy rainfall.
Dr Md Ejadul Islam, Executive Engineer of BMDA in Kurigram, said the authority currently has no project for constructing bridges or culverts.
"However, if any government agency wishes to undertake such a project in the public interest, it can do so with state funding," he said.
Rajarhat Upazila Project Implementation Officer Md Asaduzzaman said a project proposal could be submitted once the necessary no-objection certificates were obtained. He noted, however, that his office would not be able to implement the project if the proposed bridge exceeded 15 metres in length.
Kurigram LGED Executive Engineer Md Saiful Islam said the matter would be inspected jointly with the upazila engineer to determine whether any bridge construction proposal already exists for the location.
Meanwhile, lawmaker for Kurigram-2 constituency, Dr Md Atikur Rahman Mojahid, said the issue would be given due importance.
"We will try to include the project in the next budget and take the necessary steps to reduce public suffering," he said.
