POBNEWS24, Dhaka June 25, 2022 : Ariful Islam’s home is Amirabad in Madaripur Sadar Upazila and he works in Dhaka. He himself lived in a small mess in Dhaka, and went to his home in Madaripur on weekends. Ariful has left his home in Dhaka. Mucchi laughed and said, ‘From June 26, I will leave home and work in Dhaka. I will stay with the people of the house. ‘ I spoke to him on Friday afternoon at Shimulia Ghat in Munshiganj.
Today, on June 25, the residents of both sides are floating around the inauguration of the dream Padma Bridge. Because, their long suffering and misery is going to end today. The waterway that had to be spent at least two hours, accompanied by various misfortunes; From today, he can cross the road in just seven minutes. This joy has touched people on both sides. And in celebration of the joy, the two sides of the Padma Bridge have been decorated with various arrangements.
Visiting the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway yesterday, it was seen that various types of banners and billboards have been put up on both sides of the highway and road divisions around the inauguration of the Padma Bridge. Many people, including local Awami League leaders, have greeted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on these billboards. Billboards have also been seen on the road leading to Shimulia and Mawa old ghats. There is colorful lighting.
Munshiganj’s Louhjong Upazila Awami League general secretary Abdur Rashid Sikder said a three-day cultural program would be held at Shimulia Ghat around the inauguration of the Padma Bridge. Fireworks will be lit. On the other hand, local leaders have decorated 30 km road from Toll Plaza in Jajira to Shariatpur with banners and festoons. Pictures of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Sheikh Hasina have appeared on billboards at various road junctions. Historical pictures of Bangabandhu from different times are being displayed on billboards on the road from Naodoba Toll Plaza of Padma Bridge to the ten and a half kilometer connecting road and Kanthalbari public meeting place. There are pictures of the Prime Minister with the activities of the Padma Bridge at different times. These billboards have been set up by the bridge department.
Russell Hossain, a resident of Mawa area of Lohajang, gave land for construction of Padma bridge and various infrastructures related to the bridge. Russell said, ‘People in our area have suffered leaving their ancestral home. Now everyone is proud of being a bridge. ‘
Similarly, 20 bighas of land belonging to the family of Badal Jamaddar of Naodobar in Jajira was acquired. The festival has started at his house around the inauguration of the bridge. Relatives came home. Fish, meat, fruits, various sweets and gifts have been brought to entertain them. The female members of the house are making different types of cakes to entertain the guests.
Excited Badal Jamaddar said, ‘The river Padma was a big cause of our grief. The bridge will bring happiness in our lives by removing that sorrow. I will go to Dhaka in an hour from home, I think it is a dream. ‘
Afroza Akhter of Bagerhat was waiting to cross the Padma in a private car at Shimulia Ghat yesterday morning. He said, ‘I am crossing the ferry today. But I will return to Dhaka after crossing the bridge. ‘
Sakhawat Hossain, a resident of Rajapur in Jhalokati, is 50 years old. Has lived in Shahjahanpur, Dhaka for 30 years. Since 1996, he has been crossing the river Padma by road through Kanthalbari in Madaripur. He had to suffer day after day due to river currents, storms, rain and fog. For 10 years he used to go home only on two Eids. He went home by water for the last time yesterday. He will return on Sunday after crossing the bridge. Excited Sakhawat said, ‘There is no more trouble. Now I can go home every week. ‘
Many people are coming from far and wide to the Padma Bridge area. At Shimulia Ghat, he spoke to Ahadul Islam, whose home is in Nilphamari district. According to him, he will not cross the bridge and go to the village house. But he has come to witness such a great achievement of the country. He said he wanted to climb the bridge today, the day of the inauguration.