An iron bridge on Jessore-Dhaka highway at Shimakhali Bazar in Shalikha upazila of Magura, which collapsed about three weeks ago, still lies without repair, causing immense sufferings to the commuters.
The 200-feet bridge, built on Chitra river in 1984, collapsed on February 13, snapping road link between the capital and Khulna, Satkhira and Jessore.
During a visit to the area on March 3, this correspondent saw school children, commuters and traders walking across a makeshift bamboo structure erected beside the bridge amid risk of accident as no transport can cross the area.
People of Khulna, Satkhira, Jessore and Benapole are facing difficulties to go to Dhaka and other destinations.
Shatokhali Union Parishad Chairman Anwar Hossain said Awami League lawmaker from Magura-2 constituency advocate Biren Shikdar and Prime Minister's Assistant Private Secretary Saifuzzaman Shekhor visited the spot on February 18 and 19 respectively.
During the visit, both of them assured local people that the bridge would be repaired within a week but no step has been taken yet, he added.
Sixty-two-year-old Shahinur Rahman of Arpara village said at this age it is very difficult to walk across the Chitra river on a bamboo bridge.
Tripti Rani, a 35-year-old housewife, said it is very risky to cross a bamboo bridge with a baby in your arms.
Nurunnabi Tarafdar, executive engineer of Magura Roads and Highways Department, said they have already invited a tender to construct a diversion road and later another tender will be called to build a concrete bridge there.