TANGAIL, April 13, 2025 (BSS) - For the past five decades, more than 50,000 residents of 15 villages in Ghatail upazila of the district have been grappling with severe hardships due to the absence of a bridge over the Bangshai River.
 
During the rainy season, villagers are forced to rely on boats, while in the dry months, they depend on a precarious bamboo bridge-their only means of communication. This lack of proper infrastructure continues to disrupt daily life and hinder development in the area.
 
Along with students and residents, farmers are among the worst sufferers, facing immense difficulties while transporting their agricultural products.
 
Although locals have been demanding the construction of a concrete bridge since the country's independence, their plea has been ignored.
 
The Bangshai River flows between the villages of Sarasak and Gangair in the Dhalapara union of the upazila.
 
People from 15 villages-including Gangair, Sarasak, Amjani, Bade-Amjani, Golabari, Malajani, Jugiatengar, Nayarhat, Sarishaata, Saratail, and Barga in Dhalapara, as well as Deopara union-have to cross the river for daily activities.
 
There are two government primary schools in Sarasak and Gangair. Additionally, the area has Dhalapara Bazar, mosques, madrasas, a college, and secondary schools for boys and girls.
 
Hundreds of students from these institutions have to cross the river every day, risking their lives.
 
The locals have demanded the immediate construction of a concrete bridge over the Bangshai River to end their 50-year-long suffering.
 
Schoolteacher Mujibar Rahman said that due to the absence of a bridge, there is no paved road in the village. "Students and other residents must cross the river to go to school and college, transport crops, and reach the upazila headquarters," he added.
 
He also mentioned that some children and elderly people have already fallen victim to boat accidents during heavy monsoons.
 
Another resident, Alamgir Hossain, said local representatives have repeatedly pledged to build a bridge, but no progress has been made in the past 50 years.
 
Dulal Chandra Das, a boatman operating the ferry, said, "My ancestors have been ferrying people since the British era. I've been in this profession for the past 26 years."
 
He added that a concrete bridge would significantly reduce the suffering of the village residents.
 
Shafiqul Islam Shafi, former chairman of Dhalapara Union Parishad, said, "The higher authorities have been informed about the need for the bridge. I've repeatedly raised the issue with the local administration and the former MP, but no action has been taken."

Ghatail Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Abu Sayeed said he is aware of the sufferings caused by the absence of the bridge.

"Effective initiatives will be taken to construct the bridge after discussions with the relevant authorities," he added.