12,000 villagers crossing canal by drum raft for nine years

RAJARHAT, KURIGRAM, Oct 30: Four plastic drums with a bamboo platform on top. 
People have to cross by pulling that raft along a rope tied to both banks of the canal. From dawn to deep night, this is their only means of travel. Children go to school riding the raft, and farmers and labourers cross the canal. A little carelessness can cause an accident. 

Due to the absence of a bridge, around 12,000 people of 10 villages in Chhinai Union of Rajarhat Upazila in Kurigram have been moving at risk in this way for nine years.

According to locals, after the bridge built over Kamarer Chhara canal collapsed, no new bridge has been constructed there even after nine long years. As a result, they are being forced to cross the canal at risk by drum raft. When the water depth increases in the rainy season, anxiety increases. On the other hand, time and money are being wasted every day by travelling on alternative routes.

Due to the absence of the bridge, farmers are in the most trouble. They have to take an extra 10 to 12 kilometres of detour to take their produced paddy and various crops to the market. This is increasing transport costs and wasting time. In the end, a large part of the profit from selling crops is going away in extra travel.

Local farmer Ansar Ali said, 'We live by farming and eating together. We run our families by selling the crops from our land. Since this bridge broke, what suffering we have had. If we go to hold the paddy market, we have to go around two regions. Suffering and expenses both increase greatly.'

Not only farming or going to the market, but the most worrying issue due to the absence of the bridge has become children going to school. The only reliance for crossing the canal is the drum raft. Parents have to remain in fear of accidents every day in having small children cross in this way. Many themselves help their children cross the canal, thinking of their safety. After school holidays, they go again and bring them back.

Parent of a child Khaleda Begum said, 'There is deep water in this canal. My child goes to the primary school crossing the canal by drum. Fear comes over me for the small child, so I help them cross. Again, when school is over, I bring them back. If the bridge were there, children could go to school without worry.'

Local resident Rostam Mia said, 'About one and a half thousand people cross the canal by this drum every day. There are schoolchildren too. So many people's suffering is for this one bridge. If the bridge were there, it would be very beneficial for us.'

On Friday morning, Upazila Project Implementation Officer Asaduzzaman said that they are aware of the long-standing suffering of local residents due to the absence of a bridge over Kamarer Chhara canal. If the bridge is constructed, the travel suffering of around 12,000 people in the area will decrease. In particular, students and farmers will be able to move safely and market their produced crops easily. The matter of constructing the bridge to relieve public suffering will be considered with importance.