More than 100,000 residents living in approximately 15 villages within Sarail upazila of Brahmanbaria have been encountering connectivity challenges due to the lack of a permanent concrete bridge across the Chettra River.
For over two decades, the local community has been utilizing a bamboo bridge spanning 900 feet to traverse the river, resulting in significant delays in reaching destinations, particularly those situated in the upazila headquarters, approximately 15 kilometers away.
During the monsoon season, the villagers face heightened difficulties as the river swells, making the bamboo bridge perilous, especially for students, women, the elderly, and individuals requiring medical attention.
The bamboo bridge was initially constructed in 1997 by Rahmat Ali and Mozor Mia from Ranidia village at an expense of Tk 200,000. Since then, residents have been collectively contributing funds and manual labor for its annual repair during the Bangla month of Kartik.
Md Iqbal Hossain Mridha, the principal of Aruail Abdus Sattar Degree College, highlighted that prior to each national election, local candidates pledge to build a permanent bridge over the river, but these promises have never been fulfilled.
Aruail UP chairman, Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, mentioned that the villagers have not received any governmental support for the maintenance or reconstruction of the bamboo bridge.
Md Ibrahim Khalil, the executive engineer of LGED in Brahmanbaria, confirmed that a proposal for a bridge spanning the river had been submitted and preliminarily approved.
He further stated that feasibility assessments have been completed, with soil testing to ensue before commencing the design phase. It is anticipated that full approval will be obtained during the forthcoming pre-Ecnec session.
