People of Cumilla -Lalmai crossing Dakatia River on bamboo bridge for 40 years
Zakir Azad , Cumilla
People of all classes, including students, have been crossing the Dakatia River, built over the 300-meter bamboo bridge in Paschim Alishwar of Perul Uttar Union of Lalmai Upazila of Cumilla , taking extreme risks for 40 years.
Locals build long bamboo bridges every year during the dry season. Now, major accidents occasionally occur while crossing the risky bridge.
It can be seen on the ground that a bamboo bridge has been built over the Dakatia River on the Alishwar-Shikaripara connection road in Perul Uttar Union of the upazila. Although the demand for a concrete bridge at that place has been conveyed to various departments and public representatives for a long time, it has not been resolved yet. However, the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) said that a proposal for the construction of a bridge has been sent to the department.
The people of Shikaripara, Alishwar and Bhavakpara of the upazila still cross the Dakatia River using a risky bamboo bridge. Fear and panic are their daily companions when the water rises during the rainy season. Students, farmers, the elderly and patients who go to school and college every day are forced to use this bridge.
On the east bank of the Dakatia River is Alishwar village of Perul Uttar Union, and on the west bank are Shikaripara and Bhavakpara of Baka Uttar Union. Students on the west bank have to cross the river every day to Alishwar Government Primary School, Dhiniya Madrasa and Adarsh High School. This bamboo bridge is not only for students, but also for medical, market or administrative work. Every year, 20,000 people cross this bridge to offer their prayers at Shah Ali Shrine during the Urs festival.
School student Suraiya said, “We feel very scared on the way here (the bridge). During the flood, a lot of water rises here. We cannot travel to school. We face many problems. We want a new bridge instead of the risky bamboo bridge.”
Abul Kasam, a farmer from Para Bhabakpara, said, “We farmers cross the river with our goods two-three times a day. It is very difficult. We cannot keep our balance on the bridge.”
Abdus Satter, 78, of Alishwar village, said, “Children fall into the water while crossing the bridge. We have to go and pick them up. People from 8-10 villages are using only one bamboo bridge. Now it is no longer a promise, we want a bridge.”
Siddharth Singh, headmaster of Alishwar Adarsh High School, said, “Every day, many of our students cross this bridge at great risk. If there is a bridge, the student attendance will increase and they will be able to travel safely.”
Lalmai Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Himadri Khisa said, "The bridge is very risky.
Considering the suffering of the local people and students, an initiative will be taken to construct a permanent bridge through LGED or the concerned department."
