Juri (Moulvibazar) Correspondent

Even in our home life, a rickshaw does not go by wheelbarrow. You see our sorrow. None of the journalists wrote the story of our bridge.
This was expression of Abdul Khalik, a resident of Kashinagar village in Sagarnal union of Juri upazila of Moulvibazar about the constitution of a bridge over Juri River.

The creation of today's Juri river from a small canal (Juri) of the British period. The Juri Upazila of Moulvibazar was formed on 26 August 2004 after the name of this Juri river. The Juri River joins the Kushiyara River, crossing the country's largest haor Hakaluki, touching almost every union of the upazila comprising six unions. Thousands of people crossed the river by boat from the British period as there was no connecting bridge between Juri river and Birgogali village (Ranimura ghat) from Kashinagar village of Sagarnal union bordering Upazila Sadar Jaifarnagar union.

It has been seen on the spot that every day hundreds of people walk about 6 km on foot to the upazila town, risking their lives, daily necessities, healthcare and school-going students are traveling with great difficulty. Thousands of people in several villages have no means of transportation as there is no bridge over the river. Boats have been their only means of transportation for decades. He said that the election will be built by the people's representatives year after year.

Abdul Aziz, a resident of the area, said, "People from Kashinagar, Patilasangan, Batnighat and Baradahar villages of our area cross the river at Ranimura Ghat and go to the upazila and district town by boat." In addition, people from different areas are reluctant to come and go to their relatives' homes at any time, so we can't marry our sons and daughters in a good family.

In particular, the students of this village study at TN Khanam Government College, Juri Model Government High School, Maktadir Girls High School and Sikandar Mahmuda High School located in Juri town. But leaving the children at home in the morning, we are worried all day long. Because of the rising water level in the river during the rainy season, the children in the audience take risks and pull the ropes of the boat by themselves and many accidents happen. There have been many such incidents in the past.

Rama Chanda, a local resident, said that out of a thousand people in our village, about 600 are followers of traditional religions. Those who vote on the boat all their lives. Harunur Rashid, a businessman from Ranimura Bazar, said about 700 voters from Birgogali village crossed the river by boat and went to the Kashinagar Government Primary School polling station to cast their votes.

Local UP member Tara Mia said Juri-Baralekha MP, Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Shahab Uddin had promised at a public meeting at Ranimura in the last election that if elected, the people of your area would demand the construction of a bridge at Ranimura-Kashinagar Ghat. I'll do it. But we are helpless. Nothing to say. He built a bridge at Kapnapahar (Binder Ghat) tea garden, a less convenient place for the people. No one listens to us. He sought the goodwill of the Prime Minister and the Environment Minister to take steps to build a bridge here.

Jaifarnagar UP Chairman Mashum Reza said, “People of Kashinagar village in our neighboring union have been having to pull the rope of the boat for a long time. It takes a lot of trouble. Our relationship with them is very sweet. It is essential to build a bridge at this wharf.

UNO Sonia Sultana said the construction of a bridge here would improve the living standards of the people in the area. The construction of Kashinagar Ranimura Bridge is very important for the development of education, health and culture of the people of these villages.

Upazila Chairman heroic freedom fighter MA Moeed Farooq said the communication system of the people of Kashinagar village, which is very close to the upazila headquarters, has been isolated from the city since the British rule. Their long standing logical demand is to build a bridge over the Juri river at Kashinagar-Ranimura. Work is currently underway on two bridges over the Juri River. Environment Minister Shahab Uddin MP hopes to take necessary steps to build a bridge at the site.