Thousands suffer for want of bridge
People wade through Kolakanda water body in Bahadurabad union of Dewanganj upazila under Jamalpur district in the absence of a bridge there.Photo: STAR
Thousands of people of eight villages under Bahadurabad union of Dewanganj upazila of the district are suffering for long for want of a bridge on Kolakanda Khal (water body)in the area. Those who suffer much are inhabitants of Kolakanda, Daporpara, Purbo Daporpara, Shahjadpur, Tatultoli, Akandapara, Gharirpara and Chagerchar villages located on the eastern bank of Kolakanda water body. People of those villages cannot go to Dewanganj upazila headquarters due to the water body. They even can not take patients to upazila health complex at the upazila headquarters in time of need. Seriously ill patients especially pregnant women and children, are the worst sufferers as they cross the water body often on foot to reach the upazila health complex. Farmers and traders carry their goods to make-shift village markets on the other side to the water body amid serious troubles. As there are two high schools, six primary schools and a dakhil madrassa on the western bank of the water body, students and teachers from the eastern side wade through knee-deep water to reach their destinations. Assistant teacher of Kolakanda Government Primary School, Afsana Akter said, just for want of a bridge, the sufferings of people of these areas know no bound. In rainy season, people including school kids cross the water body by boat, but in dry season they wade through knee- deep water. she said. Local trader Abu Sayeed said people of eight villages on the eastern bank of Kolakanda badly need a bridge on the water body for smooth communication. Contacted, local LGED engineer Md Faridul Islam told this correspondent that the authorities were constructing a road from Basedpur to Shahjadpur as a way out. Stressing the need for a bridge over the Kolakanda water body, he said his office has already submitted necessary papers to the higher authorities in this regard.
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