A bridge on Chawra canal, in Mahishdanga area of Barguna's ​​Amtali upazila, collapsed last evening. At least 25,000 people from six neighbouring villages used the bridge on a regular basis.

According to Amtali upazila LGED office, the bridge was constructed over the Chawra canal in 2002, at the cost of Tk 1 crore, to connect Amtali and Chawra unions, reports our correspondent.

Amtali upazila LGED Engineer Abdullah Al Mamun said, "I have received news that the bridge has collapsed. In place of the iron bridge, a girder bridge will be built. This has resulted in a request for funding. Work will begin as soon as the allocation is received."

In the middle of last month, the bridge was badly damaged. Yesterday evening, when a battery-run auto-rickshaw was crossing the bridge, it completely collapsed, our correspondent added quoting locals.

Maulana Anwar Hossain, superintendent of Alhaj Md Shamim Ahsan Dakhil Madrasa of Mahishdanga village, said that the bridge has collapsed, and getting to Amtali now requires a long journey.

Motahar Uddin Mridha, chairman of Amtali union, said about 25,000 people in these villages are suffering due to the collapse of the bridge that needs to be rebuilt quickly.