Bamboo footbridge disrupts life in Hossainpur villages

Thousands of residents of several villages in Kishoreganj’s Hossainpur upazila have been risking their lives for more than five decades after independence as they have been crossing a bamboo footbridge over a branch canal of the Brahmaputra River due to the absence of a permanent bridge.

The road connecting South Char Hajipur Majhi Bari in Jinari Union of Hossainpur upazila, Kishoreganj, with Master Bari in Gafargaon upazila of Mymensingh has yet to benefit from basic infrastructure development.

Local residents have urged the authorities to construct a bridge without delay.

According to locals, the lack of a bridge on the Hossainpur side of the canal causes immense hardship for farmers, students, day labourers, and other commuters every day.

The bamboo footbridge becomes particularly dangerous during the monsoon.

Students travelling to schools and colleges often face accidents, while transporting critically ill patients across the canal becomes extremely difficult, locals said.

Residents said that most of the agricultural land belonging to several villages in Jinari Union lies across the canal.

Farmers have to spend extra time, labour, and money transporting paddy, jute, and other crops from their fields, affecting agricultural production and the local economy.

Former Gram Sarkar representative Abed Ali said, “Since independence, we have only heard promises. For the lack of a small bridge, people from several villages have been suffering for years.

We have only one demand to our elected representatives and the authorities-build a permanent bridge as soon as possible.”

Ward BNP President Enamul Haque Majhi said, “People in this area have endured this hardship for a long time. If the authorities give priority to public interest, a bridge can be built here quickly. We want immediate action.”

Speaking to The New Nation, Hossainpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Kazi Nahid Eva said she is aware of the issue and that steps will be taken soon to construct the bridge.

Local farmer Mosaraf said, “Our farmland is across the canal. We have to carry all our produce, including paddy and jute, over this bamboo bridge. It increases our time, labour, and costs, and sometimes the crops are damaged.”

Jatiotabadi Swechhasebak Dal leader Masum said, “This is not the demand of just one village; it is a vital need for several villages. A bridge would significantly improve education, healthcare, agriculture, and trade. We urge the authorities to construct it immediately.”

School student Ashik said, “I am afraid every day whenever I cross the bamboo bridge to go to school. It is even more frightening during the rainy season. We want a proper bridge so we can travel safely.”

Residents said they had submitted several applications to the relevant authorities in the past seeking construction of a bridge, but no effective initiative had been taken.

They hope the authorities will prioritise public interest and build a permanent bridge to end their long-standing suffering.

According to local people, a small bridge could transform the lives of residents in several villages by improving access to education, healthcare, agriculture, and transportation. They called for the urgent intervention of the concerned authorities.