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Around 5,000 residents of a remote village in Lakshmipur are facing severe hardship after a bridge over a canal collapsed, forcing them to cross the waterway using makeshift bamboo mats and rafts at great risk.
The bridge, built about seven years ago over Chandar Khal in West Charghasia village of North Charbanshi union under Raipur upazila, has now become unusable.
With no safe alternative, villagers have built a temporary wooden platform with their own money. But the makeshift structure is also in poor condition and could collapse at any time, raising fears of further accidents.
During a recent visit, it was found that residents of Charghasia, Charinduria and New Kanibagar Char, including around 5,000 people and students, have long been using the dangerous road and bridge to travel to nearby areas.
The poor transport connection has also affected attendance at West Charghasia Government Primary School, while several farmers, teachers, elderly people, women and children have reportedly been injured while crossing the canal.
The collapse has disrupted agriculture and healthcare services in the char areas. Farmers are struggling to transport locally produced soybeans, rice and vegetables to markets, causing significant financial losses.
The situation becomes even more critical during medical emergencies, as there is no vehicle access to carry critically ill patients or pregnant women to hospitals. Residents often have to carry them on their shoulders or on makeshift stretchers.
Azgar Sardar, a member of North Charbanshi Union Parishad, said local residents have long been demanding at least a soling road and a bridge over Chandar Khal to ease their suffering.
“We have been demanding better communication for a long time. Even if a paved road is not possible immediately, a soling road and a bridge over the canal would greatly reduce our hardship,” he said.
Mohammad Kamrul Islam Siddiq, newly appointed engineer of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) in Raipur, said the authorities were aware of the problem.
“Necessary technical measures will be taken soon to address the suffering of the char residents, including the construction of roads, bridges and other infrastructure along the embankment and riverbank areas,” he said.
