Steel bridge over Chellakhali River in Sherpur destroyed; passengers cross using rope-pulled boat

PNN News Desk | Sherpur:

It has been a year since the steel bridge at Ambagan–Batkuchi Ghat over the Chellakhali River in Poragaon Union, Nalitabari Upazila, Sherpur, was destroyed by last year’s hill surge, but a new bridge has yet to be constructed. As a result, the only way for people to cross the river is via a rope-pulled boat, which, though risky, is used by thousands daily.

Locals say the bridge was extremely important for people on both sides of the river. Since its destruction, students, farmers, patients, and ordinary citizens have been taking dangerous boat trips to cross. While adolescent boatmen usually pull the rope to ferry passengers, sometimes travelers have to pull the rope themselves.

Golam Kibria Pial, Upazila Engineer of the Upazila Engineering Department, said that funding for the bridge has been requested under the Rural Infrastructure Development Project. Construction will begin quickly once the allocation is approved.

Locals have strongly demanded the bridge be rebuilt as soon as possible to reduce daily risks and ensure safe access to markets, education, and healthcare.