Gopalganj is only 150 kms from the capital, yet, it was a hassle for locals to cross the mighty Padma River to reach Dhaka as a two-hour ferry journey was inevitable and even it turned into days amid bad weather and ahead of long holidays.
“I witnessed the tragic death of critical patients on the way to Dhaka. Those lives could have been saved if the ferry crossing did not take two hours or sometime five to six hours and more due to huge traffic at the ferry terminal,” said Shafayat Hossain Molla, an ambulance driver of Gopalganj.
Daulatdia and Mawa, the two routes used by Gopalganj dwellers, brought a similar amount of agony for them, he said.
Locals are hopeful that now the the long-anticipated Padma Bridge will bring an end to their tragic stories of patients dying in the ambulance or traders facing huge losses as their perishable goods rot during long wait to cross the river.
Now it will take not more than two and a half hours in total to reach Gulistan in Dhaka from Gopalganj through Bhatiapara-Bhanga-Mawa route using the bridge.
Gopalganj is hugely dependent on Dhaka for trade, health services and employment.
The bridge might come as a great boon for the local traders as they have to bring many goods from Dhaka and Chattogram regularly as well as supply freshwater fish, vegetables and other perishable goods and a big portion of which used to get damaged on the way.
“The bridge will be a great relief for the construction material traders of Gopalganj,” said Farid Ahmed, president of the district cement, rod, and iron sheet traders’ association.
He said, “The construction material traders used to wait for days at the ferry terminals during unfavorable weather, Eid, Puja, and other celebrations as the pressure of passenger buses, private vehicles increased and they got priority while crossing. It used to create a shortage in the local market and also increased the prices, hampering different development works.”
“Opening of the Padma bridge rail link project will boost trader through two south-western sea ports- Mongla in Bagerhat and Payra in Noakhali- and with the two land port- Benapole in Jashore and Bhomra in Satkhira- respectively,”said Kazi Jinnat Ali, president of Gopalganj district Chamber of Commerce and Industries.
“The bridge will boost businesses in the district as Gopalganj connects capital Dhaka, port city Chattogram , seaport Mongla and two land ports- Benapole and Bhomra,” he added.
Md. Ilias Hossain, President of Gopalganj District Bus Owners Association, said,” The inauguration will open a new horizon in connecting the southwestern part of the country including Gopalganj district with Dhaka.”
“The bus owners here are preparing to launch modern passenger bus services soon targeting different tourism locations across the country,” he said.
The inauguration of the Padma Bridge will be celebrated in 64 districts of the country simultaneously on June 25.
Source: United News of Bangladesh