Haor road connectivity to be operationed

Sr. Staff Reporter, Kishoreganj :

An unprecedented change has been brought in the communication system by building infrastructure like submersible and all-weather roads in haor area of Kishoreganj.

Even then, during the monsoon season, Haor residents have to depend on water ways to travel to the Capital and others parr of the country.

A 1,000 meter (I kilometres) bridge over the Meghna River from Chatalpara to Bangalpara in Ashtagram upazila is going to change that situation.

The bridge is being constructed under the supervision of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) at a cost of Tk 177. 23 crore.

Recently, it has been seen on the ground that the construction work is progressing rapidly on the Howre River.

Piling work is going on. A few engineers from LGED are supervising the work round the clock.

Locals said that after the completion of the bridge, communication will be established from Noagaon in Ashtagram upazila to Nasirnagar upazila in Brahmanbaria.

The once isolated Howar residents can travel by road across the country year-round.

The economy will change soon after the bridge opens.

There will be revolutionary changes especially in agriculture.

In addition to increasing the production of agricultural products, it can be quickly sold in different areas.

Farmer Md. Malek Miah said, ‘If this bridge is opened, we will be able to easily sell paddy and rice at various places in Brahmanbaria district and get good prices.’

Locals also said that Haor is popular with the countrymen as a tourist area.

Now year-round road connectivity will boost the tourism industry as well as trade.

Haor residents are also hoping to increase employment opportunities.

Businessman.

Masudur Rahman in Chatalpara Bazar said, ‘My home is Bangalpara.

I do business here.

It is difficult to cross the river at night.

The bridge will add a new dimension to business and communication.’

Austagram ‘s Bangalpara Union Parishad (UP) Chairman Muhammad Moniruzzaman Rustom said that this bridge will be the gateway to the development of haor.

If it is launched, the development of the three upazilas will accelerate in all fields including agriculture, business, and medicine.

He demanded that the bridge be opened within the stipulated time.

When contacted the Executive Engineer of LGED in Kishoreganj district, Engineer Amirul Islam told the New Nation that, ‘Haor is known as one of the main food and fishery resources of the country.