Villagers cry for concrete bridge

About 50,000 inhabitants of 30 villages in Nawabganj upazila of the district have been crossing the Nalshisha River risking their lives as demand for a concrete bridge has not been met.

Due to strong current and sudden rise of water level recently, the 225-foot bamboo bridge over the river is now on the verge of collapse.

Before the start of the rainy season, the villagers had repaired the lone bridge at their own initiative fearing risk of collapse due to the strong tide and increase of water level, said Nirmol Sarker of Dangserghat village.

Locals said farmers of the area face huge problems for transporting goods from and to the upazila town as they have no alternative ways.

Students of different educational institutions, growers, elderly persons and women, are the worst sufferers, said Nazrul Islam, former Binodnagar UP chairman.

The authorities concerned should take immediate steps to relieve the suffering of the local people, Nazrul added.

Abdul Kuddus, engineer of Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) in Nawabganj, said after visiting the spot he would write to the higher authorities of the necessity of building a concrete bridge over the Nalshisha River.