SIRAJGANJ, Apr 4: In absence of a bridge over the Hurasagar River across Joknala of Bhangabari union parishad under Belkuchi upazila of the district, people of 12 villages of the upazila are facing severe communication hazards.
The worst-sufferers are school- and college-going students and patients as there is no easy mode of communication for them. Besides, local growers have to spend much while carrying their products to different markets. 
According to local sources, the triangular point of Char Joknala is the only place through which people can cross the river by boat. The people of the entire belt covering Char Joknala, Bhutiapara, Khidro Joknala, Shialbarisa, Gobindapur, Khash Sonamukhi, Saguna and Par Saguna villages are trapped with serious communication hazards. 
Most of the schools, colleges and market places are situated at the eastern side of the river. As a result, students and people have to cover long distance though the earthen roads to catch boats at the only 'ghat' situated at the triangular point. They have to wait hour after hour for availing boat to cross the river and reach respective destinations. The problem mounts further at night when the boats are hardly available.  
The frustration of the people has multiplied since they are deprived of some of the important facilities at this modern world. The denial of public grievances by the authorities including public representatives is a matter of legitimate concern for people of all strata covering large number of villages. 
Emdadul Haque of Joknala village alleged to this correspondent, "The absence of a bridge has given rise to untold sufferings for the people. Before vote the candidates utter tall promises but afterwards none take any initiative to resolve the problem." 
Abdus Sattar of Khash Sonamukhi village said the areas are bulk suppliers of vegetables and milk for the people of urban areas in the district. Since the cultivators cannot go to bigger markets to sell their products, they have to sell those at throwaway prices locally, he expressed with pensive mood.
Chairman of Belkuchi upazila parishad Mohammad Ali Akond said the entire region is habited by people who are mainly dependent on agriculture. But, the products available here are not reaching the hands of increased number of buyers in time as there is no bridge over the Hurasagar River, he maintained.
Belkuchi Upazila Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) Engineer Md Moin Uddin, while talking with The Daily Observer, agreed to the existing problems and sufferings of the local people.