Old launch ghat, Nakna road in Pratatapnagar destroyed by Amphan not rebuilt in 7 years
Shah Jahan Ali Miton, Satkhira
People of 6 villages of Pratapnagar Union in Asashuni Upazila of Satkhira have been living inhumane lives for 7 years after being left without any means of livelihood and communication due to the monstrous cyclone Amphan.
Despite door-to-door visits to MP, DC, UNO and higher authorities, the locals have not found any solution to alleviate the suffering of 28,000 people.
The approximately 2 km road from Kurikahunia to the old launch ghat of the Kapotaksha River, passing through the Gorai Mahal canal in front of the Pratapnagar Union Parishad, was a very important communication system. More than 10,000 people from Kurikahunia and Sreepur villages used to travel on this road. On the other hand, the Sanatankati-Nakna connecting road, crossing Karlbhat in front of Maqbul Gazi's house on the road, is also approximately 2 km long.
About 18,000 people from Sanatankati, Nakna, Gokulnagar, Goalbati villages use this road. In addition, along with the 28,000 people from the villages, thousands of people from Pratapnagar and Anulia unions and Koyra upazila use these two roads. People can easily travel on this road even after crossing the Dashania Kheyaghat. In addition, it is an easy way to reach Khulna after reaching the launch ghat.
The villages surrounded by beautiful houses, ponds, fields, livestock and rural environment were devastated by the devastating cyclone Amphan on May 20, 2020, when the Paubor Beri dam broke and became a ruin. Again, on May 26, 2021, the Yas storm hit them like a cliff on the cliff. People left their homes and took shelter elsewhere. A large part of the union became a tidal wave. After the storm, these two roads were completely washed away by the river water. In some places, holes more than 20 hands deep were created. People were isolated. Despite the highest appeals for several years, the transportation route was not rebuilt.
After the embankment was blocked, people started returning to their places as they wished, but no measures were taken to alleviate their suffering. In order to temporarily and partially protect people from extreme danger, a 700-foot-long bamboo bridge was built from the road in front of the Union Parishad of the Gorai Mahal Canal. The bridge, made of 7/8 bamboos laid side by side and nailed together, is both difficult and risky to travel on. Moreover, it is also dangerous to cross between people coming from both directions on the bridge. It is difficult to travel with luggage. On the other hand, people have to travel by boat to the villages of Sanatankati, Nakna, Gokulnagar and Goalghati.
In general, along with the general public, students of schools, colleges, and madrasas also travel on the bridge and boat route. Hundreds of boys and girls from Pratapnagar United Secondary School, Kurikahunia Women's Madrasa, Pratapnagar Fazil Madrasa, Pratapnagar Al Amin Women's Madrasa, Kurikahunia Government Primary School, and Hafizia Madrasa travel on this dangerous route. On rainy days, they cannot go to educational institutions. For a long time, some of the students are forced to return home after falling into the water and getting wet.
Every day, some people are victims of accidents due to broken bamboo in the bridge. Joydev Kumar Das, headmaster of United Academy Secondary School Pratapnagar, said that children from nearby villages including Sriramkati, Sripur, Nangla, Gokulnagar, and others travel on that route. Which is very risky. Some are forced to travel about 5 km via Lashkari Khajra. They come to school with their books, notebooks, and clothes soaked after getting wet on the bridges and boats during the rainy days or after being involved in accidents on the bridges. Many times they are unable to come to school. A heartfelt appeal to the higher authorities to look into the problem and resolve it quickly.
Students Naim Hasan and Tajmira Akhter from Nakna village said that they have a lot of trouble coming and going. Sometimes they have to come to school with their books and clothes soaked. They cannot come to school during the rainy season.
UP Chairman candidate Riachat Ali said that many houses and lands in the area have gone into the canal. To alleviate the suffering of thousands of people due to the collapse of the road, a bridge was built using 11/12 hundred bamboos with the help of local people. Although people travel on the bridge and boat with difficulty, many people are victims of accidents.
Our demand to the honorable MP and the government: In the interest of the public, measures should be taken to quickly construct roads and carlsbads.
Vice Principal Mao: Ahidul Islam said, Pratapnagar is a vulnerable union. We live in a lot of risk. After the beautiful communication system was destroyed, no organization or government came forward to arrange their transportation. They were forced to arrange for transportation by bamboo bridges and boats. We strongly demand from the honorable MP and other higher authorities to take necessary measures to protect the quality of life and alleviate the suffering of thousands of people.
UP Chairman Haji Abu Daud Dhali said that the union was damaged when the WAPDA dam broke in 1920/21. Sanatankati and Kurikahunia broke and became 30 feet deep. In addition to the bridge and boat route, people travel to Taltola for daily work, market, school and madrasa by taking long alternative routes.
Many people get into accidents when the bridge breaks. I appeal to the honorable MP, DC, higher authorities and NGOs to take immediate measures to construct roads and car washes.
Upazila LGED Engineer Anindyadeb Sarkar said that road work can start once the Water Development Board inbox us or we get the NOC.
