News Flash
NARSINGDI, June 30, 2025 (BSS) - Nearly 50,000 residents of Alokbali Union in Narsingdi Sadar Upazila have been solely dependent on waterways for generations. Surrounded by the Meghna River, this remote char area still lacks a bridge, severely affecting daily life-particularly in education, healthcare, agriculture, and transportation.
According to local sources, people from nine villages in Alokbali union must cross the river daily. Although the distance to the district town is only 20 kilometers, the journey takes around four to five hours due to the absence of a bridge. The situation becomes especially risky during the monsoon season or when water hyacinths block the waterways. Students, patients, farmers, labourers, and fishermen all face life-threatening challenges during travel.
Sharif Ahmed, Assistant Secretary for Student Affairs of the Narsingdi District unit BNP, said, "While various regions across the country have seen significant infrastructure development over the past 53 years, Alokbali remains neglected. A 300-metre bridge could put an end to this long-standing suffering."
Rubel Ahmed, Member Secretary of Narsingdi Sadar Upazila unit Krishak Dal, said, "Due to the lack of a bridge, a journey that should take one hour takes three to four hours during the rainy season because of water hyacinths. As a result, farmers cannot reach markets on time, students face difficulties attending school, and patients are often unable to access urgent care."
Md Ahmad Mia, a resident of Bakhernagar village and a student at Narsingdi Government College, shared a tragic incident. "Around 2:30am on January 10, my father began experiencing chest pain. Due to heavy fog and the unavailability of boats at night, we couldn't get him to the hospital in time. At dawn, we finally crossed the river after a 90-minute boat journey and reached Narsingdi Sadar Hospital, but by then, my father had suffered a major heart attack. He passed away on the way to the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases in Dhaka."
He added, "If there had been a bridge, we could have reached the hospital by road, and perhaps my father could have been saved."
Locals said that in the absence of a bridge, over 50,000 people are deprived of modern facilities. They are lagging behind in education, healthcare, agriculture, and safe transportation-basic rights of every citizen. Residents have unanimously demanded the urgent construction of a bridge to end this long-standing public suffering.
Md Fulkam Badsha, Chief Engineer of LGED Narsingdi, said, "I myself got stuck for three hours on a boat due to water hyacinths during a visit. I understood the people's suffering. A feasibility study for the bridge has already been completed. A 300-metre bridge from Alokbali to Srinagar in Karimpur is being planned."
Asma Jahan Sarkar, Narsingdi Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), said, "The char people have been enduring this severe hardship for a long time. I have witnessed the situation firsthand. A feasibility study has been done, and further steps will be taken soon."
