7,000 Stranded After Collapse of ‘Shonir Ghat’ Footbridge

The nearly 190-foot-long bamboo footbridge built over the Shila River collapsed into the river on April 30 due to heavy rainfall and strong currents. Since then, banana tree rafts have become the only means of crossing for local residents.

Sabina Yasmin, a third-grade student of Sandiain New Government Primary School, crosses the river on a banana raft with her schoolbag on her shoulder. Struggling to catch her breath, she said the strong current and high water level make her extremely frightened. At times, she feels she might fall into the river. She also does not know how to swim properly.

Aklima Khatun Brishti, a fourth-grade student of the same school, said they have been suffering immensely since the bridge collapsed. “I paid Tk 10 to cross the river on a banana raft while coming to school. The raft swayed so badly in the middle of the river that I thought I would fall. If I had fallen, my clothes, books, and everything else would have been ruined,” she said.

According to locals, at least four people, including students, have died after falling from the bamboo footbridge at this crossing in recent years. For this reason, residents named the crossing 'Shonir Ghat'.

A visit to the area found that around 6,000 to 7,000 people from Sandiain, Para Sandiain, Chhayani Rasulpur, and nearby villages in Rasulpur union use this route daily. A girls’ Dakhil madrasa and a government primary school stand on the northern bank of the river, while a boys’ Dakhil madrasa and another government primary school are located on the southern bank. With no alternative arrangements available, even young students are risking their lives to cross the river on banana rafts.

Ishaq Mia, a resident of Para Sandiain village, said he has to cross the river on a banana raft even to go to the market. He expressed fear that he could lose his life if he falls from the raft due to his old age
Shihab Uddin of Sandiain village said he travels daily to sell goods in different areas and has to cross the river on a banana raft every day. He added that crossing the river at night is especially frightening.

Local schoolteacher Mahbubul Alam said residents of several villages have been facing severe hardship since the bridge collapsed. Although the Nayapara Bridge could serve as an alternative route, it requires an additional detour of nearly seven kilometers. Moreover, there is no road from Para Sandiain village to Nayapara Bridge except a walking path. As a result, people are left with no option but to cross the river on banana rafts.

He demanded immediate temporary crossing arrangements and the construction of a permanent concrete bridge.

Rasulpur Union Parishad administrator and Upazila Academic Supervisor Md. Nasir Uddin said the matter has already been reported to higher authorities, and efforts are underway to take quick measures to reduce public suffering.

Upazila Engineer Md. Abu Bakar Siddiq said there is a proposal to construct a permanent bridge at the site, and steps will be taken soon to implement it.