An isolated Hamlet amidst Ashulia’s industrial landscape

Surrounded by the winding Bansi River, several villages in Ashulia resemble a lush green island—cut off from the rest of the region. Whether it's monsoon or winter, the river coils around the settlements like a snake, isolating them. In the dry season, three bamboo bridges connect the villages to the mainland. These makeshift structures are the only passage for people, livestock, and even small vehicles. But during the monsoon, mechanized boats or trawlers become the only way to cross, as heavy currents and rainfall make life even harder. Despite long-standing demands for a bridge, this vital location continues to be overlooked by elected representatives. As a result, the local people are left with little more than sighs of frustration.

This is the reality for five villages in Dhamsona Union of Savar’s Ashulia industrial zone. These villages rely solely on bamboo bridges for transportation. With no permanent bridge built over the years, villagers have had to risk their lives crossing these fragile structures. But just before the start of the monsoon this year, all three bamboo bridges collapsed in a single night, causing immense hardship for the nearly 40,000 residents, including garment workers from six different villages. To make matters worse, the area has no clinics or pharmacies, forcing people to travel to neighboring villages for medical care—often on foot or by boat. Frustrated residents have once again called for an urgent solution through the construction of a proper bridge.

The villages of Unail, Goalteck, Gachtake, Gopalpara, and Gourpara once depended entirely on boats. Now, daily commuting is done via bamboo bridges. A 100-foot-long bamboo bridge stretches across the river from Konda to Unail, while another roughly 200-foot-long bridge connects Dhamsona Bazar to Gopalbari School. A third bridge links Gourpara to Maizhail. The villages have one school, one college, and two madrasas, but no market or healthcare center. Neighboring villages are accessible only by walking or boat, leaving locals cut off from educational, medical, agricultural, and socio-economic development opportunities.

A narrow footpath once developed organically along the riverbank still exists, while internal village roads are paved with bricks and concrete. Yet, daily commutes rely on the same bamboo bridges—structures that break down even before the rains begin. After the monsoon, villagers rebuild these bridges themselves. For the rest of the year, they are dependent on boats and trawlers. This year, the cost of constructing all three bamboo bridges had to be covered entirely by local households.

Residents say they’ve been dreaming of a bridge over the Bansi River since the country’s independence. But that dream remains unfulfilled. Despite repeated promises from political leaders and administrators over the years, no bridge has ever been built. Every year from Kartik to Joishtho (roughly eight months), villagers must risk their lives crossing bamboo bridges. Motorbikes and small autorickshaws also use the bridges, raising the risk of collapse and serious accidents. During the monsoon, the area becomes completely encircled by water. Boats and trawlers are the only options, and accidents are frequent. With no healthcare facility in the village, residents must travel long distances or to other unions for treatment.

Seventh-grade student Raju shared his frustration: “We take the bamboo bridge to school every day, risking our lives. Sometimes it sinks. During the rainy season, if it breaks, we have to go by boat or trawler. Sometimes our books, notebooks, and uniforms get soaked in the river. We often arrive at school late. If there’s a crowd, it takes a long time to cross. Sometimes a 2-minute route takes 30 minutes of walking. We want a bridge over the Deonai River.”

Local resident and businessman Mumin Mia, who travels to his shop daily, said, “Since my grandfather’s time, there’s been no bridge over the river. Every year before the rains, locals collect bamboo, wood, and funds to build a bridge. For six months, we depend on boats. Thousands of people cross the river every day. Yet during elections, candidates promise a bridge to win votes—but we never hear from them again afterward.”

He added, “With no alternative route, our only options are bamboo bridges and boats. If a bridge were built here, the lives of 40,000 people would be transformed. Since there’s no health center in the village, pregnant women often have to leave the area early. During delivery, crossing the river becomes a major problem. Boats are hard to find at night. Vehicles can’t cross the bamboo bridges. If someone falls seriously ill, there's no way to help. Some even die on the way. Police or emergency services also can’t reach quickly.”

When contacted, Hanif Mohammad Murshidi, Executive Engineer of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), said, “We are looking into the matter and will speak with higher authorities to take necessary action. There have been discussions earlier, and a proposal for a bridge has been submitted. We’re reviewing it seriously.”