SM Sahidul Islam, Satkhira

A part of the Ellarchar bridge built over the Morichchap River in Satkhira has collapsed. As a result, lakhs of people in Satkhira Sadar, Debhata and Asashuni upazilas are suffering. A part of the bridge suddenly collapsed 15 days ago on the night of May 18. Since then, people living on both banks of the river have been commuting at risk.

Locals said that people from at least 20 villages including Balitha, Ellarchar, Shimulbaria of Fingri Union in Satkhira Sadar Upazila, Dahakula, Mellekpara, Barakhmar, Umrapara of Brahmarajpur Union, Kukhrali, Chaltetola, Garekanda of the municipality, Bilshimulbaria, Charbalitha, Shyamnagar, Dhalirigher, Andolpota, Shashadanga, Gabrakhali, Ticket, Putimari, Raghunathpur of Kulia Union in Debhata Upazila, and Sarafpur, Hajipur, Bauchash, Shalkhali, Badartala of Shobhanali Union in Ashashuni Upazila, travel over this bridge.

Locals also said that people of different classes and professions, including businessmen, officials and employees of government and private organizations, teachers and students of schools, colleges and madrasas, travel on the Ellarchar bridge. After the collapse of the bridge, they are facing endless suffering. Since there is no alternative means nearby, people of all ages, including women and children, are crossing at the risk of their lives. Since heavy vehicles are closed, goods cannot be brought to the Debhata section on the other side of the bridge. Shrimp and vegetable farmers are in trouble due to this. They fear that a major accident could occur if the entire bridge collapses at any time.

Arshad Ali, a member of Fingri Union in Satkhira Sadar Upazila and a media worker, described the public suffering due to the collapse of the bridge and said, "In the 1960s, embankments and sluice gates were built on the river under the Water Development Board. As a result of river management, the Morichchap River turned into a dead river. The Ellarchar Bridge was built on the river. Then the Morichchap River was excavated two-three years ago. Although the boundaries of the river were not determined and excavated according to the original map when the river was excavated. After the river was excavated, the tides flowed. In such a situation, the Ellarchar Bridge collapsed 15 days ago on the night of May 18. Due to this, people from at least 20 villages in three upazilas have suffered.

In this regard, Satkhira Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Shoaib Ahmad inspected the collapsed Ellarchar bridge on Monday morning and said, "The bridge is very old. The width of the bridge is less than the river. The bridge may have collapsed due to the pull of the tidal current. For now, initiatives have been taken to repair the blocks next to the bridge. So that people can move for the time being. A proposal will be sent to the concerned ministry to rebuild the bridge. After the proposal is approved, a new bridge will be built."