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The approach roads connecting the newly constructed Second Teesta Bridge in Kakina area under Kaliganj upazila is facing threat of damage due to random movement of overloaded vehicles.

The newly constructed bridge on the Teesta river also turned risky as heavy vehicles, especially stone-laden trucks, started using it since it's opening in April this year, locals said.

Although overloaded vehicles are plying the bridge, no step has been taken by the authorities of Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), police or local administration to stop movement of heavy vehicles due to unknown reason, they alleged.

Villagers said nearly 300 overloaded vehicles, including stones-laden trucks from Burimari land port, move on the bridge approach roads, especially during the night, because it serves as the most convenient link from Lalmonirhat to other parts of the country.

Kaliganj LGED Upazila Engineer Parvez Newaz Khan said many potholes have already developed at many points of the four kilometre approach road in last one month.

Movement of overloaded vehicles is also posing serious threat to the newly constructed second Teesta Bridge, the engineer added.

Truck driver Zahurul Islam, 38, of Barakhata area in Hatibandha upazila, said they use Kakina-Mahipur route for carrying stones from Burimari to different places across the country as it saves about 50 kilometre distance and bridge toll as well.

“We use the new route especially at night,” the trucker said.

“LGED is the authority to check or stop movement of overloaded vehicles on the bridge and its approach roads,” Officer-in-Charge of Kaliganj Police Station Maqbul Hossain said, adding that if the authorities concerned seek their help in this regard they will help them.

“We hung caution notices on both sides of the bridge, restricting movement of heavy vehicles,” Engineer Parvez said, adding that police should take action against the truckers for violating the caution notices.

He said they will construct some three-barriers on the approach roads within a week to stop movement of loaded vehicles.

Md Maniruzzaman, traffic inspector in Kaliganj upazila, said they do not set any check post during night to check movement of heavy vehicles.