A damaged wooden bridge over a canal in Natakhola, a remote char area of Lechraganj Union in Manikganj’s Harirampur, remains the only crossing for residents of around 15 villages, forcing hundreds of people to risk their lives every day.
Despite years of deterioration, the bridge has not received proper repairs, several residents alleged. People, including motorcycle riders who rely on two-wheelers as their main means of transport in the char area, continue to use the unstable structure despite the risks.
The bridge was built around 15 years ago by the late Sheikh Almas, a former chairman of Lechraganj Union, using wooden planks supported by concrete pillars. Sections began breaking down within about two years of construction. Today, parts of the deck and railings are broken or missing, making the crossing increasingly dangerous.
The bridge connects Natakhola with Lechraganj, Sutalari and Azimnagar unions and serves thousands of people. Residents of around 15 villages, including Kabirpur, Munsurabad, Atotrishdag, Char Islampur (Bhagaban Char), Kajikandi, Enayetpur, Narayandia, Basanpur, Balia Chak, Gangadhardi, Patgram and Haluaghata, use it regularly.
Students from four educational institutions also use the bridge to travel to and from their institutions.
The damaged bridge has disrupted farmers’ ability to transport agricultural produce to local markets. Goods can be moved beneath it by horse-drawn carts during the dry season, but the canal remains filled with water for six to seven months a year, preventing vehicles from passing underneath.
Mukta Akter, a teacher at Natakhola Government Primary School, said the road was crucial for char residents, particularly students attending several educational institutions in the area.
“Several sections of the wooden bridge are broken, and railings are missing on both sides. The approach is also badly damaged, with a large gap near the entrance. People, including motorcycle riders, face serious risks when crossing it,” she said.
She said repairing the structure was urgently necessary, adding that a permanent bridge would provide much-needed relief to residents.
Mohammad Hannan Mia, an assistant teacher at Natakhola Afrozha High School, said the bridge began showing signs of damage less than two years after it was built. No repairs had been carried out since then, he added.
He called for a permanent bridge to ensure safe transport for thousands of people living in the char area.
Anis, a motorcycle rider who provides transport services for hire, said hundreds of motorcycles used the road every day.
“Given the bridge’s current condition, even walking across it is difficult, let alone riding a motorcycle. When we take our motorcycles onto it, we are constantly afraid for our lives,” he said, calling for a new bridge.
Mohammad Motaleb Hossain, a member of Ward No. 4 of the union parishad, said a soil test had been conducted around two years ago in preparation for bridge construction, but there had been no further progress.
Upazila Engineer Md Shahinuzzaman of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) said a proposal for a bridge at the site had been submitted to the ministry under a rural infrastructure development project, along with a demi-official letter from Manikganj-2 lawmaker Engineer Moinul Islam Khan Shanto.
“Work will begin once the proposed project receives approval,” he said.
