Sachchida Namda Dey, Ashashuni (Satkhira) 

One of the key road links between Khulna and Satkhira—Dargahpur-Banka Bazar Bridge is now in a highly vulnerable condition due to severe erosion on both sides. 

Deep trenches have already formed at either end of the bridge, worsening daily and posing a growing threat to the surrounding communities. 

According to concerned locals, the bridge could collapse entirely at any moment.Witnesses report that just over a month ago, the Water Development Board in Jashore undertook an erosion prevention initiative by placing geo-bags along both ends of the bridge. However, the intervention, widely criticized as hasty, unplanned, and superficial, has already proven ineffective. The geo-bags have been washed away within weeks, and the erosion has accelerated dramatically..

Thousands of people use this route every day to travel between Khulna, Satkhira, and neighboring districts. It also serves as a vital corridor for transporting agricultural goods, daily commodities, and essential supplies. But with the ongoing erosion, road safety has deteriorated significantly. A recent incident involved a motorcyclist who suffered serious injuries after falling into one of the road's deep potholes. The absence of proper warning signs makes the area especially hazardous at night.Students, working-class commuters, and even ambulances carrying patients are bearing the brunt of the situation. 

A single compromised bridge risks severing connectivity between two districts, with far-reaching consequences for public life and the regional economy.Local resident and college lecturer Ashik remarked, "We have repeatedly informed the authorities, but no officials have visited the site yet. This isn’t just a transportation issue—it’s a matter of life and death for the people of both districts."In light of the growing crisis, residents are urgently calling on higher authorities to visit the site, assess the damage firsthand, and implement immediate, sustainable erosion control measures.

 They demand a full-scale reconstruction of the bridge based on expert engineering plans to ensure long-term durability and load-bearing capacity.If no prompt action is taken, locals fear a complete breakdown in road connectivity between Khulna and Satkhira is inevitable.