Bridge to better life is symbol of solid relations

DHAKA－Rehana, a pregnant villager in Bangladesh's southwestern Pirojpur district, recounts the journey she had to take the night before her delivery on a rickety boat.

Rehana recalls that she held on to her life and that of her unborn baby, praying to reach a clinic before it was too late.

It may be unbelievable for many elsewhere in the world, but for the folks at the village in Pirojpur district, life has always been like this.

Now, not just Rehana, but all other villagers and people from the surrounding areas believe that an end to their misery is in sight as another friendship bridge under Chinese grants nears completion.

As many as seven such friendship bridges have already been completed across Bangladesh. And the eighth one is under construction over the Kocha River in Pirojpur district, 185 kilometers southwest of Dhaka.

Local residents, who use boats to go to the other side of the river, say they will benefit upon completion of the bridge, as it will greatly reduce the time spent crossing.

The bridge is expected to be completed in June.

Abdul Quader Sheikh, a local resident from Gurbaria village in Pirojpur district, expresses his delight that the Chinese have gifted them a bridge.

Md Lutfar Rahman Sheikh, another villager, says that people will benefit as movement will be smoother and faster.

China Railway 17th Bureau Group is constructing the bridge under the management of the China Railway Major Bridge Reconnaissance and Design Institute.

By the end of March, the eighth Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge Project was 90 percent completed.

All construction activities are proceeding normally now, as engineering work has not been suspended due to the pandemic.

Gurucharan Hawladar, a worker, says that he has been working on the bridge for 18 months.

Many Chinese and about 400 Bangladeshi workers are working on the project, says Hawladar.

"From the Chinese, we Bangladeshi workers can learn a lot. We can learn different kinds of work skills from them," he says.

"If such a project is undertaken by Bangladeshi company in the future, then the experience of these workers will be very useful," he adds.

Mehedi Hasan, another worker, says he has been working with the project for three years.

"I'm very happy to have this bridge next to my house," he says.

"Many thanks to the Chinese government," he adds, while working.