Rangunia Representative: The bridge has not yet been constructed on the Ichamati river that flows over the Rajanagar and Dakshin Rajanagar unions of Rangunia upazila. The people of these two unions have been waiting for ages for this one bridge. Despite many promises of building bridges in the past, not a single bridge has been built even in 53 years of independence. Therefore, it is forced to rely on roped boats to travel on both sides of the Ichamati River. However, if the water in the Ichamati river is low during the dry season, then the local people build a temporary bamboo bridge for movement, but it breaks during the monsoon. As a result, at least 20,000 people in this region are passing their lives in extreme misery on rope-pulled boats. Small and big accidents are almost happening while moving on rope boats.
Talking to the local residents, it is known that the Ichamati River flows between Sialbukka and Phulbagicha villages of South Rajanagar and Rajnagar Union on the Parua DC road. Sialbukka village has 3 villages; the east side has 5 villages. The Ichamati River surrounds 3 villages on the west side. Much like an island. At least two hundred students of primary, higher secondary, college, and madrasas of this village cross the Ichamati river every day by rope-pull boats to Rajabhuban High School, Khandlia Para Madrasa, Alamshah Para Kamil Madrasa, North Rangunia High School, North Rangunia Degree College, and Ranirhat in South Rajanagar Union. Traveled to college. Besides, the people of both banks cross this river through Sialbukka Ghat for their daily work. At the same time, thousands of people here travel to the district and upazila headquarters for various tasks such as farming with modern machinery, office-court, haat-bazaar, and seeking treatment for the sick.
Md. A person named Karim Uddin said that about 20 thousand people of the two unions have been suffering for ages due to a bridge not being built. In particular, 10 thousand people from 3 villages surrounded by rivers in the Sialbukk area of the Rajagar Union are deprived of development due to the lack of a bridge. Even after 53 long years of independence, as a bridge has not been built, these 3 villages have not had much impact of development.
Local Nurul Azim said that children, women, and old people have to suffer more in rope-pulling boats. They have to wait for the men when they arrive at the ghat. Then you have to cross the river by pulling the rope and taking the boat. During the rainy season, this suffering and misery becomes intense. Not only that, crossing this river becomes very dangerous during the monsoon season. While crossing the river, these villagers have to be victims of accidents every now and then. Locals said that boat sinking happens often.
Abdul Quader, a teacher of Rajabhuban High School and member of UP, said that the people of this village have to suffer all year round due to a lack of a bridge. Crossing the boat is very dangerous, especially for young school students and pregnant women. The construction of bridges here is very important for the development of education, health, and culture of the people of these villages.
Nazir Ahmad, an elderly resident of the Sialbukk area, said that in the long 53 years of the freedom struggle, many governments have come but not a single bridge. We strongly demand the government construct a bridge over the Ichamati River as soon as possible.
In this regard, the upazila engineer said. Didarul Alam said that the list of rivers in which bridges need to be constructed has been sent to the ministry. Still, I will visit the place and send a proposal to the higher authorities if necessary. So that a bridge can be constructed on the Ichamati River in the Sialbukka area very quickly.
