A decade-long demand falls on deaf ears
Bridges linking Durgapur yet to be completed
Jahangir Alam, Netrakona
Durgapur, a tourist spot in Netrakona having mineral deposits, is virtually isolated from the rest of the country as construction of two vital bridges could not be completed in over 11 years and two others damaged by last year's flood are yet to be repaired. It is a surprise to local people why construction of the two bridges could not be completed in so many years and there is no move to repair the damaged ones. A fronteir upazila near the Garo hills, Durgapur is inhabited mostly by indigenous people. It has deposits of China clay, coal and other minerals. The biggest China clay mine in the country is in Bijoypur in Durgapur upazila. A ceramic industry based on the clay has been set up in the area. At least 40 tonnes of coal are collected every day from Sumeswary river bed and supplied to other districts. Durgapur is also known for the Birishiri Tribal Cultural Academy there, the lone centre for tribal cultural activities in greater Mymensingh. Famous communist leader Moni Singh was born in Durgapur and the Tanka monument was also launched there. Durgapur supplies fruits like banana, pineapple but traders from other districts have to make a tedious journey and face so many hurdles to reach growers. Durgapur upazila headquarters is only 45 km from Netrakona district town. Construction of Suknakuri and Someswary bridges was started in 1995 and 1998 respectively by the Roads and Highway Department (R&H) at estimated costs of Tk 7.50 crore and Tk 9 crore. But they are yet to be completed. About 40 per cent work of both the bridges were completed earlier, Netrakona R&H officials said. There is no initiative to repair the damaged Gujalikanda bridge in Purbadhala upazila and Janzail bridge in Durgapur upazila. Talking to this correspondent, M A Karim Abbasi, lawmaker from Durgapur-Kalmakanda constituency, said Durgapur has great potentials for development but it is neglected. Besides minerals, the area can be developed into a tourist spot. It can also make enormous contributions to the national economy. But everything depends on good communication system, which is lacking. "I am trying my best to develop the road communication. People's life in the area can be changed radically only if the upazila headquarters can be linked with the district headquarters with a good road, he said. Dr. Mohammad Ali, lawmaker from Purbadhala-Dhubaura constituency, said he contacted higher authorities in R&D for repair of Gojalikanda bridge, damaged last year. He said he got a positive response. When contacted, R&H Executive Engineer in Netrakona said construction of Suknakuri and Someswary bridges was stopped only for lack of funds. About reconstruction of the two other bridges, he said proposals for those are yet to be submitted.
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