The baily bridge is also now in bad shape
Different modes of vehicles, including long-route buses and trucks, have been using a bailey bridge over Noleya canal at Shakoa on Gaibandha-Palashbari road amid risk of accident anytime.
The bridge connecting the district headquarters with rest of the country was built on emergency basis after the concrete bridge over the canal was washed away by the surging water of 1988 flood. Another concrete bridge was expected to replace the damaged bridge.
Meantime, the bailey bridge became almost unusable as its structures, including girders and iron sheets, broke at least 32 times snapping road communication in the last two years.
According to sources, the Roads and Highways Department (RHD), while widening Gaibandha- Palashbari road that connect national highway, had a plan to construct a 45-meter concrete bridge removing the bailey bridge in 1990.
Although the the road was widened, the bailey bridge remained there as before for unknown reason.
In May 2004, RHD submitted a proposal for replacing the bailey bridge with a concrete one and sought fund for it. After two years, the ministry concerned cancelled the proposal, triggering angry protest by local people.
In face of repeated protests, the authorities in 2010 submitted a fresh proposal for construction of a concrete bridge on the spot and placed it before ECNEC for approval.
“We have already started construction of a diversion road spending Tk 38 lakh and working to set up a concrete bridge with departmental fund,” said Mahbub Alam Khan, executive engineer of RHD Gaibandha.
The bailey bridge would be dismantled soon for construction of concrete bridge after long two decades, he said with a sense of assurance.
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