GURUDASPUR, NATORE, June 30: Around 50,000 people from three upazilas continue to suffer due to the absence of a bridge over the Gumani River, with residents saying the long-awaited structure is essential for improving communication, trade and access to essential services.
Flowing through the Chalan Beel region, the river separates parts of Gurudaspur Upazila in Natore from Tarash in Sirajganj and Chatmohar in Pabna. For decades, residents have been demanding a bridge to replace their dependence on a ferry.
The river crossing between the Kachikata Daspara Nishibari Ghat and Bilbyaspur serves as the main route for people from seven villages across the three upazilas. Every day, students, farmers, traders and patients use a ferry boat to cross the river for education, healthcare, farming and business activities.
The ferry service, operated by a locally funded boatman, runs from morning until night. However, residents say crossing the river becomes particularly difficult during the monsoon.
Local residents Md Aslam Ali and Dabir Uddin said the lack of a bridge causes daily hardship for commuters, while Bilbyaspur resident Salam Sarkar said a bridge would significantly improve communication and create new opportunities for agriculture, education and the local economy.
Mashinda Union Parishad Chairman Abdul Bari said a proposed rubber dam across the Atrai River between Bilbyaspur and Ranigram mouzas is now in the final stage of approval by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).
Upazila Assistant Engineer Saidur Rahman said constructing both the bridge and the rubber dam would improve transportation and ensure irrigation facilities during the dry season, benefiting large areas of Natore, Pabna and Sirajganj districts.
Natore-4 lawmaker Abdul Aziz said a bridge over the Gumani River has long been a legitimate demand of local residents. He expressed hope that implementation of the rubber dam project would pave the way for the bridge and pledged to continue pursuing the project with the relevant authorities.
For now, a small ferry remains the only link across the river, carrying not only passengers but also the long-standing hopes of thousands of residents for a permanent bridge.
