300 families at Badiakhali remain stranded as bamboo bridge over Alai River collapses 

GAIBANDHA, Oct 16: In Taluk Rifaipur Village of Badiakhali Union in Gaibandha, the only means of crossing the Alai River was a bamboo-and-wood bridge. Recently, that bridge too broke and collapsed, turning at least 300 families into residents of an isolated island.

The collapse of this only connecting route of the villagers has dealt the biggest blow to education. Every day, little students stand at the riverbank, but there is no way to cross to the other side. They have to return home with their books and notebooks, and their studies are coming to a halt.

The suffering does not end here. There is no alternative route to quickly take a sick patient to the hospital. Although one or two people sometimes cross dangerously at the risk of their lives, crossing the river has now become a nightmare for the elderly, women and children. Local farmers cannot take their produce to the market on time, which is directly affecting their livelihood.

A local victim, mixing anger and plea, said, "The collapse of the bridge has seemingly brought our lives to a standstill. Children cannot go to school, and if someone suddenly falls ill at night, the thought of what will happen without medical treatment fills us with panic. We do not need more assurances; we need a practical solution for movement, urgently."

Although the suffering has now reached its peak, no visible initiative for a permanent solution to the problem has yet been seen. To avoid the risk to life and uncertainty, local residents are demanding urgent intervention from the relevant authorities to quickly build a durable concrete bridge over the Alai River in Taluk Rifaipur.