In the absence of a Bailey bridge, people have been crossing Chitra River at Narikelbaria under Bagharpara upazila of Jashore for many years rely solely on a bamboo bridge built by the locals. It is the only link for the inhabitants on both sides of the river.  

Locals have repeatedly complained to the authorities, demanding the construction of at least a Bailey bridge. But no step has been taken yet. So, people living on both sides of the river, volunteered to build the bamboo bridge. They raised funds for the project. The job was overseen by the Khanpur Bazar Committee.

Ashok Biswas, the president of the committee, said ‘haats’ are held on Fridays and Mondays. Hundreds of farmers come from different villages of the nearby Shalikha upazila to sell their products. But they have to cross the risky bridge with their goods. Besides, hundreds of students regularly cross this bridge daily.

Ashok Biswas wants at least a Bailey bridge to end the problem.

A resident of Salikha Upazila and a student of Class X at the Khanpur Secondary School in Bagharpara Upazila, Sumaiya Khatun, regularly crosses the river by the bamboo bridge. She says she had fallen into the river several times.

Disha Pal, a student of Class VII of the same school, also spoke of the hazards involved. "There are no good schools near our home. That is why we come here. During the monsoon, I fell from the shako twice. My books sank in the river,” she recalled.

Several other students, too, said they were afraid of crossing the bamboo bridge while going to school. The rainy season was particularly dangerous, they said.

Shahidul Islam Khan, acting principal of the Khanpur Secondary School, said, “It is difficult for students to cross this long shanko. Many people have been injured after they fell into the river. We have been demanding a Bailey bridge for a long time for the sake of children’s safety. In fact, it will benefit everyone.”

 Narikelbaria Union Council Chairman Abu Taher Abul Sardar said, “When I was elected chairman, I demanded the construction of a Bailey bridge. Earlier, I had done so verbally. Now, I will do so in writing.”