on tuesday 25 march

Moynul Haque Mridha, Rajbari

The only way for crossing the Rajbari-bound Goalando is by ferry. The bridge was not built 50 years after independence. As a result, thousands of people in that area are suffering. Due to the lack of a bridge, they have to cross the river every day in a single boat, risking their lives.

In the Dangi area of Habil Mandal Para-Darap under Ujanchar Union of the upazila, rowboats are still the only means of transportation on the dead Padma River. Even that is sometimes blocked due to dense vegetation.

Locals say that if a bridge is built there, at least 50,000 people of Ujanchar and Daulatdia unions will directly benefit. Direct communication will be established between the neglected Char residents and Faridpur city, including Goalanda Upazila city, Jamtlar Hat, Mominkhar Hat. The overall situation of the area, including agriculture, education, and medical services, will change.

According to sources from the Goalando Upazila Engineering Department, a project proposal for the construction of a 260-meter-long bridge there was sent to the construction authority in 2021. But so far, no response has been received.

During an on-site conversation, Jindar Kazi, a resident of Ujanchar Habib Mandal Para, said that their area is an agricultural area. A lot of crops are produced. But due to transportation problems, they are deprived of fair prices. It is very difficult to transport goods. Due to this, thousands of people of this area are subjected to various hardships, ignoring the sun and rain, to travel to Faridpur and neighboring cities. After standing for hours, boats crowd the ghat.

Sumaiya, Rehena, and Jasmine, students of Jamtala Dakhil Madrasa, said that hundreds of students like them travel by boat to school and madrasa every day. They have to pay 10 taka each time they cross the river. If they cannot catch the river on time, they have to wait at the ghat for at least 30 minutes in the sun and rain. They also said that it is very difficult for them to go to school. They travel by boat to school. Sometimes their books get wet. Apart from that, there is also the fear of falling into the river.

A young man named Mahbub Sheikh said that he was going to Faridpur city with his sick father to see a doctor. After sitting for a long time, the boat arrived. If there was a bridge here, they would not have suffered anymore.

Shakil Sheikh, a boatman at the Kheya Ghat, said, "There has been so much progress in the area, but we have not had a bridge here. I have seen the joys and sorrows of the people of this area from very close quarters. If the bridge had been built, the suffering of the people would have gone away."

Ujanchar Union Parishad member and local resident Liaquat Ali Mandal Lipu said, "They have been lobbying for a bridge here for many years. The former MP of the area could not build a bridge here despite repeated promises. We are now strongly demanding that the new government build a bridge here."

Goalando Upazila Engineer Faisal Jahangir Swapnil said, "I have found out after research that it is very important to build a bridge there. It is very sad that it has not been done for so long. I will sincerely try in this regard."