Residents Demand Replacement of Dilapidated Khekuani Bridge, Nearly 50,000 People Suffer

Local residents have demanded the immediate removal of the long-neglected and risky Khekuani Bridge in the Gulishakhali Union of Amtali upazila, Barguna, and the construction of a new one. The bridge is a vital transport link for nearly 50,000 people but has now become unsuitable for regular traffic, causing severe hardship for residents of several villages.

The inability of heavy vehicles, fire service trucks and ambulances to cross the bridge has raised serious concerns about access to emergency services. Residents fear that a major accident could happen at any time. They insist that the old bridge should be completely removed and replaced with a new, durable structure rather than undergoing further repairs.

According to local residents, Khekuani Bridge is one of the main communication links for people across a large part of Gulishakhali Union. Students, traders, farmers, labourers and people from different professions use the bridge every day. It is also essential for connecting local markets with nearby areas and transporting agricultural products.

However, its deteriorating condition has disrupted normal movement. The inability of large goods-carrying vehicles to cross has created additional difficulties for local businesses and the transportation of goods. The condition of the bridge is also creating serious obstacles to emergency services. In the event of a fire, accident or medical emergency, it becomes difficult to transport emergency vehicles to the affected areas in time.

Residents said even fire service vehicles cannot cross the bridge, while ambulance movement is also restricted. This has increased concerns about public safety and the protection of lives and property. A recent devastating fire at Khekuani Bazar, which destroyed around 12 shops, has once again highlighted the bridge’s limitations. According to residents, fire service vehicles could not reach the scene after the fire broke out. As a result, the affected traders watched helplessly as their shops were destroyed without receiving the necessary firefighting assistance.

Residents believe that replacing the bridge is essential to ensuring the safety of the market and surrounding areas. They want proper access for emergency vehicles so that such difficulties do not arise during future incidents. Local people said they had repeatedly tried to draw the attention of the authorities to the bridge’s dangerous condition, but no effective solution had been implemented. They believe temporary repairs or limited renovation will not solve the problem permanently.

They have called for an immediate engineering assessment and the removal of the old bridge. They also demanded that the authorities undertake and implement a project to construct a new bridge. They further urged the authorities to arrange an alternative route so that local communication is not completely disrupted during construction.

Residents believe that a new bridge would not only reduce transport difficulties but also improve economic activities in the area. Farmers would be able to transport their produce to markets more easily, traders could move goods without disruption, and students would enjoy safer journeys. Emergency medical transportation, firefighting and other essential services would also become easier.

Considering that nearly 50,000 people depend on the bridge, residents believe it should be treated as an important infrastructure project and given priority. Meanwhile, a human chain was formed on Friday (October 30) at 10:30am near Khekuani Bazar, on the western side of the bridge, demanding its removal and the construction of a new one.

The hour-long programme was attended by more than 500 local residents. Participants chanted slogans demanding the immediate construction of a new bridge and called on the relevant authorities to take action. Speakers at the programme included former joint convener of Amtali Upazila BNP Toffazzal Hossain Mia, prominent social worker of Gulishakhali Union Golam Mostafa, Union BNP Joint Convener Delwar Hossain Munshi and Barguna District Jubo Dal Secretary Asaduzzaman Momen Akon. Local dignitaries and people from different professions also attended.

The speakers said Khekuani Bridge was the only major communication link for nearly 50,000 people. Despite its dangerous condition for a long time, no effective measures had been taken. Large vehicles cannot cross the bridge, forcing traders, farmers, students and ordinary residents to face daily difficulties.

They also referred to the recent fire at Khekuani Bazar, which destroyed around 12 shops, while fire service vehicles could not reach the scene. They said ambulance movement was also restricted during emergencies and stressed that such an important locality could not be left with a dysfunctional transport link.

The speakers further said the authorities should not waste time on repeated repair work under the name of renovation. Instead, the old and risky structure must be removed and a new bridge constructed at the same location as soon as possible. They urged the administration, the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) and elected representatives to take immediate action, giving the highest priority to people’s lives, property, business activities and safe transportation.

At the human chain, residents made it clear that they would continue their demand until a permanent solution was implemented. They expect the authorities to inspect the bridge soon, remove the dangerous structure and take effective steps to build a new one. The participation of more than 500 people in the programme has once again highlighted the long-standing suffering of Khekuani residents and their demand for a new bridge. The community is now waiting to see how quickly the authorities respond.