4-km human chain formed in Bauphal
Residents of Dhulia and Durgapasha unions in Bauphal, Patuakhali, formed a four-kilometre-long human chain along the Tetulia River on Friday, demanding a sustainable embankment and construction of a bridge over the river.
After the human chain, they held a press conference and urged Communications Minister and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to take steps to construct the bridge and a sustainable embankment, saying there is no alternative to the projects for the economic development of the southern region and ensuring safe living conditions for people living along the Tetulia River.
The programme was held under the banner of the Dhulia-Velumiah Bridge and Sustainable Embankment Movement Committee. Mofazzel Haque Mofur, convener of the committee, presided over the programme.
Speakers said people in the neglected southern region had been struggling with natural disasters since independence. During high tide in the Tetulia River, homes, houses and croplands are inundated, while large areas emerge during low tide.
They said thousands of people had lost cattle, fish from ponds and agricultural land due to natural disasters, leaving them destitute. Several villages have also been lost to river erosion. They demanded the construction of a sustainable embankment and a bridge.
The speakers further said that a bridge over the Tetulia River connecting Velumiah in Bhola with Dhulia in Bauphal would create an economic link with Bhola, Lakshmipur, Chattogram, Patuakhali, Barguna, Pirojpur, Barishal, Payra Port and Bakerganj.
Such connectivity would reduce travel time to Dhaka and other parts of the country and make travel easier for local people, they said. Industries and factories would be established, while business and trade would also expand.
According to the speakers, the development of connectivity would create employment opportunities for people living in around 25 upazilas across six districts.
The people of these upazilas and districts would be able to engage in more economic activities and lead busier, employment-oriented lives.
Local lawmaker Dr Shafiqul Islam Masud, former BNP lawmaker and freedom fighter Shahidul Islam Talukder, Jamaat’s upazila ameer Rafiqul Islam, its secretary Md Khalidur Rahman, former chairman Babul Mia and former Swechchhasebak Dal general secretary Lecturer Naim Shikdar Tarek, among others, addressed the programme virtually.
