LGED's scenic floating drum bridge on Pakhimara canal

LGED floating drum bridge on Pakhimara Canal in Kalapara for school children

Patuakhali: A beautiful floating drum bridge has been constructed on the Pakhimara canal with the funding of LGED to ensure the transportation of primary school children in Kalapara of Patuakhali. After the iron bridge built on Pakhimara canal collapsed two years ago, the villagers are in trouble as no new bridge has been constructed. Especially children of Gamirtala Government Primary School could not go to school as there was no alternative to crossing the canal. After that, a beautiful floating drum bridge was built with the funding of LGED at the instigation of the Upazila Parishad.

According to LGED sources, the beautiful floating bridge was constructed by slathering wood on 90 plastic drums at a cost of 4 lakh taka. The 90 meter long and 8 feet wide floating bridge is designed with railings on both sides so that children can safely cross the canal along with bicycles. Also, the drums are placed in such a way that the bridge can be balanced. And this floating bridge has changed the image of Gamirtala, Majidpur, Kumirmara rural townships of Nilganj Union of Upazila. After the construction of this beautiful bridge, tourists are coming to take pictures standing on the bridge in the late afternoon light.

Purnima Rani, head teacher of Gamirtala Government Primary School, said that one day in April 2020, the iron bridge over the canal suddenly collapsed. Meanwhile, 4/5 teenagers on the bridge were injured. Since no new bridge was built after that, the children suffered in going to school. Because at least 70% of the school children came from Majidpur village on the other side of the canal. In this, the attendance rate in the school decreased alarmingly. Finally, the president of the school's managing committee and upazila parishad vice chairman Shahina Parveen Seema brought the matter to the attention of the upazila parishad. LGED stands by the side of little students. A floating drum bridge is constructed on Pakhimara Canal.

Upazila Parishad Vice Chairman Shahina Parveen Seema said, Gamirtala is my village home. That's my school. LGED has constructed a floating drum bridge on the canal to solve the problems of children. I personally supervised with upazila chairman, LGED engineer during the construction. So that the contractor completes the work with safe movement of children. As a result of the construction of the bridge, the farmers of Gamirtala, Majidpur, Kumirmara villages of Nilganj Union will now be able to market their agricultural produce with ease of movement.

Kalapara Upazila Engineer Faisal Bari Purno said, 'After the bridge was broken, a proposal has been sent to the higher authorities to construct a girder bridge there. Meanwhile, a floating drum bridge has been constructed over the canal for school-going children. In this, the farmers of some villages will be able to market their agricultural products with transportation facilities. - Gofran Biswas Palash