Imran Khan, Sunamganj

For years, people from six upazilas, including Tahirpur in Sunamganj, have been suffering due to the disruption of communication caused by the collapse of an approximately 300-metre section of the Purana Barungkhā Canal in Balijuri Union.

As a result, local residents have been forced to cross the canal by boat, causing a waste of time and money while putting their lives at risk.

The suffering becomes more severe during the monsoon season when water levels in the canal rise. Besides local residents, domestic and international tourists travelling to Tanguar Haor also face difficulties while using this route. Children, women, elderly people and patients are particularly vulnerable when crossing the canal by boat.

However, local people are now seeing a ray of hope as construction of a 283-metre-long bridge over the Purana Barungkhā Canal, at an estimated cost of approximately Tk 55 crore, is progressing in full swing. The construction work is being carried out by contractor firm ACPL Ahad JV, based in Mohakhali DOHS, Dhaka.

During a recent field visit, ongoing pile-driving work for the bridge pillars was observed. High-quality steel rods, sand from the renowned Fajilpur source, cement and other construction materials were found stockpiled at the site. Construction workers are working tirelessly, while officials from the Roads and Highways Department are regularly monitoring the project.

Speaking to local residents, they expressed satisfaction with the quality of the sand and stone being used and hoped that high-quality construction materials would continue to be used throughout the project.

Samir Uddin, a resident of Purana Barungkhā village, said, “Our long-standing dream is finally coming true. Good-quality construction materials are being used in the project.”

Bablu Mia, a member of Balijuri Union Parishad, said, “People in this area have been suffering for a long time because they have had to cross the Purana Barungkhā Canal by boat. Tourists visiting Tanguar Haor also face difficulties during the tourist season. Once the bridge is completed quickly, the suffering of local people will be reduced significantly. Construction work is progressing at a very fast pace.”

Bablu Mia, a representative of the contractor, said, “We started full-scale construction work on September 1. To ensure that traffic movement is not disrupted during construction, we have arranged a diversion road. We are using high-quality construction materials, and officials from the Roads and Highways Department are regularly monitoring the work.

“As the scope of construction activities becomes limited during the monsoon season, we are working quickly to ensure that the project is completed within the stipulated timeframe. We are also preparing a warehouse facility on four bighas of land by filling it with sand at a cost of approximately Tk 1.20 crore to store construction materials.”

Shamim Hossain, Sub-Assistant Engineer of the Sunamganj Roads and Highways Department, said, “Construction of the bridge has already started in full swing. We are regularly monitoring the work, and the contractor's team is working tirelessly. We hope the construction will be completed within the stipulated timeframe.”

Local residents hope that if the bridge is completed quickly and within the scheduled time, it will significantly improve communication for people from six upazilas, including Tahirpur, while also reducing the difficulties faced by tourists travelling to Tanguar Haor.