An iron bridge that collapsed in Hurmuibunia canal at Amragachia village in Mirzaganj upazila of Patuakhali district four years ago has been lying there without repair or replacement. Hundreds of people of 10 villages have since been enduring difficulties while commuting. The worst sufferers are elderly people, school and college students, patients and farmers. The bridge had caved in while a truck with heavy load of road building materials was passing through. The road on both sides of the bridge that connects Fakirhat with Amragachia now lies without any link. Marketing of agricultural products, education, trade and commerce, and health services have been badly affected.
Young people, especially the students, are still using the dangling bridge in risk. The students of South Jhatibunia Govt Primary School, Jhatibunia ME Secondary High School, Amragachia Govt Primary School, Jhatibunia Girls’ School, Sadem Munshi Secondary School, Subidkhali Degree College and Subidkhali Women College have been using this broken bridge everyday to reach their institutions. Md Hamed Mollik, headmaster of South Jhatibunia Govt Primary School, said primary school students often get injured while crossing over the bridge. The bridge needs repair on an urgent basis, he said. Md Sultan Ahmed, Amragachia UP chairman, said hundreds of people use this bridge. “I have taken initiatives to repair the bridge with the co-operation of Mirzaganj upazila parishad.