Communication between Jhenidah and Magura through Narikel Baria-Tikari road has remained suspended for one month due to collapse of the bridge on the river Sanchai in the district.

The collapse of the bridge caused much suffering to around 50,000 people of 20 villages and hundreds of commuters.

The bridge constructed over the Sanchai River 22 years ago collapsed on June 6.

At present, people are crossing the river by a wooden bridge, but no vehicles can cross it. Farmers are incurring huge loss because they cannot transport their products to different markets.

This correspondent found that the Sanchai river flows by the side of Tikari bazaar on Narikelbaria-Tikari road. People of Jitore, Miakundo, Kushobaria, Dhananjoypur, Muktarampur, Marninda, Narikelbaria, Tikari, Dahkhola, Dighirpar, Laxmipur, Malanchi, Bangsha, Beruel and other villages use the bridge.

   Abdur Rashid of Tikari village said, "We are facing difficulties due to collapse of the bridge. Even light vehicles like rickshaw, van, CNG-run auto-rickshaw cannot ply over it, so we are not able to carry our products to the markets."

Farmer Zinnat Ali of Miakundo village said the bridge developed cracks 7/8 months ago and they informed the authorities concerned, who hung a signboard forbidding heavy vehicles from plying over the bridge. The bridge collapsed suddenly on June 6, injuring Sajib Hossain  and Dulal Mia of Tikari village.  

Ashik Hossain, a student of Class VIII in Narikel Baria Secondary School, said, "We cross the wooden bridge risking our lives. Now the water has risen during the rainy season, and we are facing more trouble going to school."

Abdul Malek, engineer of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) in Jhenidah, said the designing of the bridge has been completed. He hopes that it will be constructed soon.