RAMGATI, LAXMIPUR, June 8: Hundreds of thousands of people in Ramgati Upazila of Laxmipur, along with neighbouring Subarnachar and Hatiya upazilas of Noakhali, are facing severe hardship as the approach road to the Tegachhia Bridge remains unrepaired for over a year after it was damaged by tidal surges.
Local sources said direct road communication among the three upazilas has been effectively cut off since the western approach road of the bridge over the Gabtali canal near Tegachhia Bazar under Char Gazee union was washed away by strong tidal currents during the 2025 monsoon season.
The situation has left residents of several wards in Char Gazee union, Tanki Bazar, Chowrasta Bazar, Hatiya Bazar, Ramgati bridge ghat fish landing centre and Boyarchar area in extreme difficulty.
According to sources, the 40-metre-long bridge was constructed in 2002 by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) under the Char Development and Settlement Project (CDSP). After the collapse of the approach road, locals temporarily built a wooden platform to maintain limited movement, but no vehicular transport is currently possible.
The disruption has severely affected local trade and business. Hundreds of traders in Tanki Bazar fish market and Tegachhia Bazar have been hit hardest. As goods cannot be transported directly between Ramgati and Noakhali, commodities are being carried in multiple stages, increasing transportation costs.
The crisis has also affected students of several primary schools and eight madrasas, along with patients and general commuters, who are forced to endure significant hardship due to the disrupted connectivity.
Local traders Zakir Hossain and Bablu of Tegachhia Bazar said that if the approach road is not repaired urgently, the main bridge itself could face risk during the next monsoon season. They added that the prolonged suspension of vehicular movement is damaging the local economy.
Ward No. 5 member of Char Gazee Union Parishad, Sheikh Farid, said LGED, upazila administration and relevant authorities have already been informed about the situation. He added that there is a plan to construct a Bailey bridge as a permanent solution.
An upazila engineer said the bridge has been inspected several times and necessary proposals have been submitted. He added that efforts are underway to procure Bailey bridge materials from the district office and Gazipur, and construction work is expected to begin soon.
