About half of the population of Laxmichhari upazila are being deprived of different facilityes like health and medical services for many years due to lack of a bridge over Morachang canal.

Besides, about 26 kilometres of the 30 kilometre-long Laxmichhari-Barmachhari road is becoming unfit for use as no repair work was done for long.

Over a decade ago, Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board (CHTDB) started the construction of a bridge over Morachang canal at Jatindra Karbaripara in the upazila.

But for some unknown reasons, the construction work stopped midway.

The road is the only way of communication between Barmachhari union and the upazila headquarters, said Barmachhari Union Parishad (UP) Chairman Hari Mohan Chakma.

In the dry season, pedestrians and motorcycles can cross the canal by using an alternative earthen-road beside the bridge, but during the rainy season people can't even walk through or cross it on foot, he added.

Laxmichhari Sadar UP Chairman Prabil Chakma said thousands of people face serious difficulties while using Laxmichhari-Barmachhari road because of the incomplete bridge.

Laxmichhari Upazila Parishad Chairman Super Jyoti Chakma said the upazila consists of three unions and half of the population use the road.

Local people have informed the officials concerned on several occasions in this regard but are yet to get any result, he said, adding that livelihoods of the local people will surely improve once the bridge is completed.

Laxmichhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Zahid Iqbal said currently three bridges in the upazila are lying incomplete.

Every monsoon, the whole Barmachhari union remains disconnected from the upazila headquarters, the UNO said, adding the construction work of all the incomplete roads and bridges will start very soon.