Ipaz Khan, Madhabpur (Habiganj) Correspondent:

It has been almost 10 years since the construction of an important connection bridge in Chaumuhani Union No. 2 of Madhabpur Upazila of Habiganj, but it has not been of any use to date. No vehicles, people or even cattle have yet passed through this bridge. As a result, the bridge has become a source of suffering for the people of the area instead of benefiting them.

Although about 4 kilometers of roads have been built on both sides of the 32nd bridge of the Harashpur Railway, the Hasinaabad-Jamalpur connection bridge is closed due to lack of connection. This culvert next to the railway bridge is still not being used. Although Kashimnagar is a very close area from Harashpur, due to the lack of a bridge, the local people have to travel 10 to 15 kilometers to travel 4 kilometers. This takes more time and also incurs additional costs.

The situation becomes even more dire when the water in the drain rises during the rainy season. Then many people risk their lives to cross the railway bridge by pushing wooden planks on the railway bridge. It takes even a healthy person 8 to 10 minutes to cross this 150-foot-long bridge. If a train suddenly comes at this time, there is a risk of a major accident. It is almost impossible for weak people to cross this road.

Locals say that they have been deprived of development for a long time. Although a semi-paved road was built from Harashpur to Kashimnagar after the Awami League government came to power in 2010, they are not getting the full benefits of that road due to the lack of a connecting bridge.

Madhabpur Upazila Engineer Rezaun Nabi said in this regard, "We are keeping an eye on the matter. We are working to repair and reopen the bridge." Locals claim that if the bridge is reopened soon, they will be relieved of their long-standing suffering.