Lack of bridge puts 50,000 locals in peril

Over 50,000 residents of Alokbali union in Narsingdi Sadar upazila continue to suffer due to the absence of a bridge connecting their river-encircled villages to the district headquarters.

Surrounded by the Meghna, this remote char area consists of nine villages where residents rely solely on boats for travel.

Despite being just 20 kilometres from the town centre, locals often spend four to five hours navigating the river, frequently delayed by water hyacinth and adverse weather conditions.

"Due to water hyacinth, even a one-hour route takes up to four hours," said Rubel Ahmed, 32, of Alokbali village.

Ahmad Mia, 25, of Bakhrnagar shared a tragic personal account. "On January 10, my father suffered severe chest pain around 2:30am. Because of thick fog and river blockages, no boatman agreed to take us. By dawn, we managed to cross the river after 90 minutes and reached Narsingdi Hospital, but my father had already had a major heart attack. Though doctors referred him to the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases in Dhaka, he died at the hospital gate. Timely medical attention could have saved him, but the delay proved fatal."

Fulkam Badsha, executive engineer of the Local Government Engineering Department, said, "During my field visit, I experienced a three-hour delay due to water hyacinth. A feasibility study for a 300-metre bridge from Alokbali to Srinagar in Karimpur union has already been completed. We're actively working to move the project forward."

Asma Jahan Sarkar, UNO of Narsingdi Sadar upazila, said, "I recently visited the area by boat. The residents are indeed deprived of many facilities due to poor connectivity. We have assessed the feasibility for a bridge, and necessary steps will be taken soon."