Kopotakkho bridge project raises hopes for 1.5 lakh people

A long-awaited bridge over the River Kopotakkho, which forms part of the boundary between Jashore and Satkhira districts, is now in prospect, raising hopes of an end to the daily sufferings of around 1.5 lakh people in nearly 10 villages in Keshabpur and Kalaroa upazilas.
For years, residents have had to rely on a makeshift bamboo bridge to cross the river, risking their lives every day. Whether travelling to markets, buying daily necessities or seeking medical treatment, they have little choice but to use the fragile structure.
A visit to the area found that the dilapidated bamboo bridge remains the only crossing between communities on the two banks. Thousands of people use it every day despite the risks.
The crossing is particularly dangerous for school and college students, pregnant women, patients and elderly people. The situation becomes worse during the monsoon, when rising water levels make crossing the river even more hazardous, often disrupting normal life in the area.

Several educational institutions and commercial establishments are located along the river in Trimohini Union of Keshabpur upazila.
Trimohini Bazar, Trimohini Secondary School, a degree college, a government primary school and several other important institutions are situated on one bank of the river.
Thousands of people from Trimohini, Mangalcoat, Satbaria, Burihati and Kanchanpur in Keshabpur, as well as villages under Koshodanga Union in Kalaroa upazila on the opposite bank, use the crossing every day.
Following years of demands from local residents and elected representatives, the government has taken an initiative to construct a permanent bridge over the Kopotakkho River.
Once built, the bridge will provide direct road connectivity between the two areas. It is also expected to improve local transport, facilitate the movement of agricultural produce and give a boost to the local economy.
Keshabpur Upazila Engineer MA Jasir said a project proposal worth Tk9 crore had already been sent to Dhaka for approval.
“We have already sent a project worth Tk9 crore to Dhaka. We hope the project will be approved and people's sufferings will be reduced,” he said.
He added that local residents repair damaged sections of the existing wooden bridge themselves to keep the crossing usable.