An old dilapidated bridge over a canal at Goloknagar village in Jhenaidah’s Shailakupa upazila has been lying in an awful state for long, posing serious threat to it users.
As a result, people of at least 20 villages have to suffer a lot to go to their destinations including the upazila headquarters.
Local people alleged that the authorities concerned did not take any necessary measures since the side walls of the important bridge collapsed in 2013 and cracks started developing on its deck.
In the last couple of years, at least three people died and many others sustained injuries after falling from the vulnerable bridge while crossing it, villagers said.
Around 50,000 residents, including 300 to 400 students, of at least 20 villages use the year-old bridge to go their destinations every day.
Moreover, as there is no alternative, local farmers have to carry their agricultural products to nearly Hatfazilpur Bazar through the bridge risking their lives.
Mohammad Shamsuddin of Goloknagar village, who sustained severe injuries after falling from the dilapidated bridge around five years ago, said seeing his physical inability villagers made a tea stall for him so that he can maintain his family.
Another villager Monirul Islam said local people have set up a makeshift wooden platform to ease the communication problem temporarily.
Tanvir Hossain, a Class IX student at Fazilpur Secondary School, said the bridge becomes extremely dangerous during the rainy season as many students often get wounded falling from the risky bridge.
Mentionable, Water Development Board (WDB) built the bridge over the GK Canal at Goloknagar village in 1957. Jhenidah WDB Executive Engineer Abu Raihan said they have submitted a proposal to the higher authorities to build a new bridge there.
