One missing bridge, thousands left stranded

The absence of a bridge over the Jamuna river continues to inflict years of hardship on thousands of residents of Jamalpur’s Sarishabari upazila and neighbouring Kazipur upazila of Sirajganj.

At the Gamaratala ferry ghat in Pogladigha Union of Sarishabari, people from at least 25 villages rely on boats to meet their daily needs. Locals estimate that several hundred thousand people are directly affected by the lack of a permanent crossing.

A recent visit found that residents of Kazipur routinely cross the river to reach Sarishabari for work, education, healthcare and business. Despite repeated demands over the years, construction of a bridge has yet to begin.

The suffering intensifies during the monsoon, when ferry services become risky and irregular, leaving the area virtually cut off. Many locals describe the region as an isolated and long-neglected pocket even decades after independence.

Important institutions are located on both sides of the river. While Jamuna High School and key connecting roads of Kazipur lie on the western bank, the eastern bank hosts Tarakandi Railway Station, Tarakandi Bus Terminal, Kandarpara Bazar, Jamuna Fertiliser Company Limited, Pogladigha College, several schools, and various government and private offices. As a result, ferry crossings remain unavoidable. 

“Even after 50 years of independence, we still have to wait here every day to cross the river. Our lives seem stuck on this ghat,” said Mamunur Rahman, a resident of Guakhara village.

Student Sohag Mia said delays at the riverbank often cause him to miss important classes, while farmer Nasim Uddin said the absence of a bridge hampers agriculture and emergency healthcare.

Upazila Engineer Golam Kibria said the ferry ghat has already been surveyed. “The bridge project is under consideration, and it will be implemented soon,” he added.