Barisal bridge lying dilapidated for years

A concrete bridge on Ratnapur canal under Agailjhara upazila of the district has been in an awful condition for three years, causing sufferings to the villagers, including schoolchildren.

Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) built the bridge in 1997 to connect Ratnapur union with Agailjhara upazila, but it has remained dilapidated for the last three years.

There are four educational institutions and a bazar surrounding the bridge, and at least 5,000 people cross it every day, locals said.

Dulal Dasguta, a local trader, said the bridge may collapse anytime as the structure has become very weak and loose.

Guardian Anwar Hossain said they are afraid to send their children to school due to the bad condition of the bridge.

Ratnapur Union Parishad (UP) Chairman Golam Mostofa Sarder said they sent several letters to the authorities concerned to take immediate steps for repairing the bridge, but in vain.

“If we do not get any funds we will repair the bridge with our own resources,” he added.

Upazila Engineer Raj Kumar Gain said Ratnapur UP has sent a project profile for a new concrete bridge to the upazila LGED. The project is awaiting approval by the upazila administration, he added.