Benapole: A concrete bridge over the Harihar River in Manirampur upazila in Jessore has remained unrepaired for over eight years, causing immense sufferings to the villagers of two upazilas.
 
Around 15-20 thousand people of Manirampur and Keshabpur upazilas have been facing difficulties to cross the river every day. However, they managed to repair a portion of the broken bridge with bamboo and wood at local initiative and now using it for crossing the river with risks.
 
Two people died and 50 people got injured while crossing the bridge, locally known as Fakir Bridge, over the last two years.
 
Recently, Mohammad Ali, 75, a van-puller along with its van fell into the river while crossing the bridge. He was taken to sadar hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
 
Besides, a college teacher of Shyamnagar upazila slipped into the river while crossing the bridge in his motorcycle. He succumbed to his injuries 5-7 days after the incident.
 
Sources said the Fakir Bridge was constructed during the British period. About 20,000 people of Manirampur and Keshabpur upazilas of the district use the bridge and it has been lying damaged for the last 20 years.
 
Hafizur, a resident of Manirampur upazila and a van-puller, said, "We've brought the matter to the notice of local MP on various occasions and he who assured us of repairing it but no initiative has been taken yet."
 
Maulana Jalil Uddin, a teacher of Nagorghop Secondary School, said about 250 students come to the school crossing the bridge. Many students fall into the river due to the dilapidated condition of the bridge.
 
Contacted, MP Swapan said a survey was completed to construct the bridge and a tender in this regard will be floated in the current fiscal year.