Nearly 100,000 residents of 16 villages in Bagerhat's Morelganj upazila, are enduring immense hardship due to the dilapidated state of a bridge near Khawlia bazaar.
Locals have been patching the wooden bridge with betel nut trees and bamboo poles but frequent accidents highlight the urgent need for a permanent solution.
The bridge, located over the Chalitabunia canal, is held together by makeshift bamboo supports. One of its pillars has collapsed into the river, leaving a dangerously unstable structure.
Mosharraf Sheikh, a resident of Khawlia village, explained that the iron-and-wooden bridge was constructed around 50 years ago and had undergone periodic repairs. However, about 18 months ago, floodwaters and collisions from cargo boats damaged the pillars, causing part of the bridge to collapse. Villagers have since relied on temporary fixes to maintain access.
Local teacher Md. Fakhrul Islam described the bridge as a death trap, recounting how a woman tragically fell to her death from it a few months ago. He emphasized that the bridge connects Khawlia Bazaar with 16 villages, making it a critical route for daily commuters.
Md. Babul Howladar, a primary school headmaster, pointed out that the bridge serves around 8,000 to 10,000 people daily, including students attending six educational institutions located on both sides of the canal. He urged authorities to either repair the existing bridge or construct a new one without delay.
Sharifuzzaman, executive engineer of Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) in Bagerhat, acknowledged the gravity of the situation. He explained that the bridge's location near the river's mouth complicates immediate reconstruction. Plans are underway to acquire land for a new bridge at a different location but temporary repairs will be carried out to ensure the safety of residents in the interim.
