Collapsed culvert leaves Kurigram village stranded for four years

PHULBARI, KURIGRAM, July 20: Nearly 1,500 families in Char Gorokmondol of Phulbari Upazila of the district have remained cut off from regular road communication for four years after a key culvert collapsed in floodwaters, with no reconstruction work yet undertaken.

Residents say the prolonged disruption has severely affected their daily lives, particularly during the monsoon, when crossing the damaged section becomes risky.

A recent visit to the area found the collapsed structure on a road beside Ananda Bazar in Char Gorokmondol under Naodanga Union, about 14-15 kilometres from the upazila headquarters. The culvert was washed away by the strong current of the Dharla River around four years ago, leaving a roughly 150-foot stretch of the road eroded and impassable.

Since then, communication has remained disrupted, causing persistent hardship for residents, students, farmers, patients and daily commuters.

Local people and elected representatives alleged that despite repeated appeals to the authorities, no effective steps have been taken to rebuild the crossing.

The road serves as one of the main transport links for Char Gorokmondol. Following the collapse, motorcycles, auto-rickshaws, vans and other vehicles have been unable to use the route.

Residents are now forced to take lengthy alternative routes. During the rainy season, many have to wade through waist-deep water to reach schools, markets and healthcare facilities.

The disruption has made it difficult for students to attend classes, farmers to transport agricultural produce to markets and patients to access emergency medical treatment in time, locals said.

They urged the authorities to construct a permanent bridge to restore communication.

Ayaz Uddin, the ward member of Char Gorokmondol, said the area had remained virtually isolated since the small culvert was destroyed by the Dharla's strong current.

"Conditions are somewhat manageable during the dry season, but once the monsoon begins, the suffering becomes severe. Students, women, elderly people and other residents face immense hardship every day," he said, adding that he felt frustrated that no bridge had been built despite four years of appeals.

Naodanga Union Parishad Chairman Md Hasen Ali said the culvert had originally been constructed by the union parishad but was washed away during severe flooding four to five years ago.

"Since then, around 1,500 families and students travelling to schools and colleges have been enduring immense hardship. Local people have been demanding a permanent bridge for years, but nothing has been done," he said, urging the authorities to intervene without further delay.

Phulbari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Dilara Akter said the matter would be reviewed and brought to the attention of the higher authorities for necessary action.