S A Shofiee Sylhet :
Thousands of people in Five villages under Shilam and Moglabazar unions in Dakshin Surma upazila in the district have been suffering since the country’s independence due to lack of a bridge over the Borobaga River
According to local sources, farmers of three villages in Moglabazar union are the worst sufferers as they are facing setback to carry their products, which are mainly perishable items, to upazila headquarters for want of a bridge.
The growers carry agricultural products to the Sylhet district, travelling a 15-km long alternative road.
We cannot make much profit as we have to spend extra money as carrying cost,” said Babul , a trader of Shorispur village.
A bridge is necessary at Bairagibazar to connect the two unions with upazila headquarters, villagers said, adding that they repeatedly appealed to the government for construction of a concrete bridge.
Locals said several thousand people including school children had to cross the river everyday through a bamboo-made bridge to go to the Several School Collage and upazila headquarters amid the risk of life.
Meanwhile, accidents occur sometimes while crossing the makeshift bridge and people get injured.
The school-going children face severe problems in reaching their institutions by the shaky bamboo bridge. Most of them do not go to school in the rainy season for fear of accidents on the bridge.
“I don’t know how to swim, so I feel afraid of crossing the river by the Borobaga bridge,” saidTaslima , a student of Class V11 under Kutub Jalal High School Shilam union.
Prior to every parliamentary or local body election, candidates pledge to build a concrete bridge over the river at Badarghat point, but after election, they forget the pledge, locals alleged.
Muhammed Abu Jahid , chairman of Dakshin Surma Upazila parishad, said the higher authority was informed of the necessity of building a concrete bridge over the Borobaga River to mitigate the sufferings of the people.
Auto-rickshaws become bane
Most CNG drivers in the Sylhet city run without meters or charge extra fare from passengers, despite warnings from the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority. several commuters said most auto-rickshaw drivers now charge a minimum fare of Tk100 for any distance, and they often refuse to make short trips.
The government has decided to increase the number of CNG-run auto-rickshaws in Sylhet city without adopting any strict or effective measure to ensure hassle-free travel for passengers.
Although the four-stroke three-wheelers are a major cause of traffic congestion in Sylhet city,The CNG-run vehicles, however, have not readjusted fare meters to comply with government-fixed rates.
The drivers, however, defend their position saying owners charge them a high rental price – Tk 800 to 1,000 per day. They also claim that extortion and harassment by traffic police cost them a lot.
A driver told the that Police, in most cases, intercept us on the road and demand Tk1,000 as extortion for plying without meters. If we refuse to pay the illegal money, they file a case,”
M.Hussain a professor of SUST said auto-rickshaws are necessary for private travel in the city.
SMP additional commissioner (traffic) said a huge number of cases are filed against auto-rickshaw drivers and their owners, but that does not deter them from charging extra fares or rent..
