Narsingdi: Nearly 50,000 residents of Alokbali Union in Narsingdi Sadar Upazila have been solely dependent on waterways for generations. Surrounded by the Meghna River, this remote char area still lacks a bridge, severely affecting daily life-particularly in education, healthcare, agriculture, and transportation.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, people from nine villages in Alokbali union must cross the river daily. Although the distance to the district town is only 20 kilometers, the journey takes around four to five hours due to the absence of a bridge. The situation becomes especially risky during the monsoon season or when water hyacinths block the waterways. Students, patients, farmers, labourers, and fishermen all face life-threatening challenges during travel.
Sharif Ahmed, Assistant Secretary for Student Affairs of the Narsingdi District unit BNP, highlighted the infrastructure disparity, stating that while various regions have seen significant development over the past 53 years, Alokbali remains neglected. He noted that a 300-metre bridge could alleviate the long-standing suffering.
Rubel Ahmed, Member Secretary of Narsingdi Sadar Upazila unit Krishak Dal, explained that due to the lack of a bridge, a journey that should take one hour extends to three to four hours during the rainy season because of water hyacinths. This delay impacts farmers reaching markets, students attending school, and patients accessing urgent care.
Md Ahmad Mia, a resident and student at Narsingdi Government College, shared a tragic incident involving his father. Due to heavy fog and unavailability of boats at night, they couldn’t reach the hospital in time during a medical emergency, resulting in a fatal outcome. He expressed that a bridge could have made a difference in accessing timely medical care.
Locals expressed that without a bridge, over 50,000 people are deprived of modern facilities, lagging in essential sectors like education, healthcare, agriculture, and transportation. They have unanimously demanded the urgent construction of a bridge to alleviate public suffering.
Md Fulkam Badsha, Chief Engineer of LGED Narsingdi, shared his personal experience of being stuck on a boat, which highlighted the community’s struggles. He confirmed that a feasibility study for a 300-metre bridge from Alokbali to Srinagar in Karimpur has been completed.
Asma Jahan Sarkar, Narsingdi Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), acknowledged the severe hardship faced by the char people and assured that further steps would be taken following the completed feasibility study.