Two months of waterlogging in Padma Bridge area, 300 families in distress

300 families have been stranded in Padma Multipurpose Bridge project area of Louhajang upazila of Munshiganj for about two months. This situation has arisen as there is no way to drain water in Kandipara area of Medinimandal union of the upazila. Although a drain has been built from Jashaldia sluice gate to Madhya Kandipara to drain water from homes, it is not directly connected to the Padma River. As a result, about 2,000 people are suffering from waterlogging due to rainwater being trapped in the area. It was learned that in November 2014, before the main construction of the Padma Bridge began, the Chinese company Sinohydro Corporation built a 4-kilometer-long dam from Mawa end to Jashaldia. At that time, the locals objected to the lack of installation of a drain or pipeline. The bridge authorities had promised to make arrangements for water drainage at the end of the dam. But after the work was completed, no drain or pipeline was installed. Since then, the people of Kandipara have been facing waterlogging every year. The problem has not been resolved even after ten years. Even when the Padma Bridge was inaugurated on June 25, 2022, no measures were taken to drain the water in Kandipara. Despite repeated demands from the locals, the authorities are not taking it into account. Local resident Mahinur Islam Hiru said, “They promised to provide drains before the bridge was inaugurated, but they did not keep it.” Another resident, Solaiman Sheikh, complained, “We have cooperated the most in the construction of the Padma Bridge, yet we have been living in water-borne diseases and unsanitary conditions for ten years.” Housewife Rehana Begum said, “Water has been accumulating in the yard of the house for two months. The kitchen is submerged in water. Even the children have to tread water to go to the toilet. The children’s feet have become sore from walking in water all the time. And the stench is unbearable because the water has been stagnant for so long.” Prabin Sabuj Howlader said, “When someone dies, there is no place to keep the body, it has to be kept on the elevated road.” UNO of Louhajang Md. Nesar Uddin said, “No one informed me about this. Work is underway to drain water in the Jashaldia area. I will visit Kandipara and request the bridge authorities to take action after hearing the complaints.”