Locals in Phulbari upazila of Kurigram have been waiting for 25 years for a concrete bridge over the Baromasia River. Frustrated with the long-standing unmet demand, the community members decided to take matters into their own hands and constructed a temporary bamboo bridge spanning 100 meters at Karim’s Ghat. Over a period of 15 days, volunteers consisting of youths, farmers, and laborers from Kishamat Shimulbari village lent their expertise and resources to assemble the bridge using bamboo, wood, rope, wire, and other necessary materials.
The previous bamboo bridge that served the area had deteriorated significantly, posing risks to the thousands of residents who rely on it for daily commutes. Particularly hazardous during the monsoon season when the river submerges the bridge, locals had no choice but to brave the dangers or resort to makeshift means of crossing, such as boats or rafts.
Obaidul Haque, a local resident, expressed the community’s longstanding struggles, stating, “We have endured years of hardship. The dilapidated old bridge, coupled with the risks of the monsoon, left us with no option but to seek alternative crossing methods. Despite our pleas for a permanent solution falling on deaf ears, we mobilized ourselves, gathering contributions door-to-door to construct the bamboo bridge.”
Ataur Rahman Ratan, a fish trader, shared similar sentiments, highlighting the necessity of the makeshift bridge for the community’s mobility. Hasen Ali, the chairman of Naodanga Union Parishad, praised the proactive approach taken by the residents to address the pressing issue.
Upon reaching out for a comment, Mamunur Rahman, the upazila engineer of Phulbari, assured that he would inspect the makeshift bridge promptly. Following a feasibility assessment, he committed to presenting a proposal for the construction of a durable concrete bridge to address the community’s long-standing need.