Photo: BSS

LALMONIRHAT, Oct 23, 2025 (BSS) – A bamboo bridge built by local leaders and activists of the district unit of Jubo Dal has brought much-needed relief to residents living on both sides of the Sati River in Tapur village under Harati Union of Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila.

The 150-metre-long bridge, constructed entirely through voluntary labor and self-funding by Jubo Dal members, was completed in just five days. It has become a vital link for over 20,000 villagers, easing years of suffering caused by poor communication across the river.

For years, people of Tapur and nearby villages faced immense hardship crossing the Sati River—often risking their lives, especially during the monsoon season when communication was completely cut off. Now, thanks to the new bamboo bridge, villagers can easily cross with rickshaws, bicycles, and on foot.

Local farmer Nuruzzaman Miah, 50, said, “We have been struggling for years due to the absence of a permanent bridge." Earlier, villagers built temporary bamboo bridges through community funding, but they were washed away every rainy season, he added.

"This new, sturdy bridge built by Jubo Dal has made our lives much easier,” he stated. Another villager, Nuruzzamal Hossain, 45, added, “We used to worry constantly when our children crossed the river to go to school. Now that fear is gone. We are truly grateful for this humanitarian initiative,” he said.

Resident Haydar Mia, 42, said, “We have been waiting for a permanent bridge for years. Although many bridges have been built elsewhere, our area was long neglected." He added: "This new bamboo bridge has at least brought some comfort to our daily lives.”

District Jubo Dal Member Secretary Hasan Ali said the initiative was entirely community-driven.

“We raised funds among ourselves and worked voluntarily to build the bridge. Over the past one and a half months, our members have also repaired about 70 kilometers of rural roads,” he said, adding that more road and bridge-repair projects are being planned to improve local communication.

District Jubo Dal Convener Anisur Rahman Anis said, “Hearing about the villagers’ struggles, we decided to act on our own. Our activists worked five days straight without hiring any laborers,” he said, adding that BNP Central Executive Committee Organizing Secretary and former Deputy Minister Asadul Habib Dulu inaugurated the bridge and urged party members to continue working for the welfare of the people.

Meanwhile, Lalmonirhat Executive Engineer of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), Kawsar Alam, said, “We are considering the construction of a permanent bridge over the Sati River as a priority. A feasibility study will be conducted soon to prepare a project proposal,” he added.

The locally built bamboo bridge now stands as a symbol of community effort and resilience, connecting lives and livelihoods across the Sati River after many years.