Keane Bridge reopens without repair
Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) reopened Keane Bridge for vehicular movement from Tuesday night without even starting the repair work, though the heritage symbol of Sylhet had been closed for that purpose since September 1.
As the repair work became time consuming and the city corporation was being pressurised by locals, they reopened the bridge, according to SCC sources.
Authorities, however, imposed restriction on plying of engine-run vehicles, considering the deteriorating condition of the bridge.
Three wards are situated on south side of the bridge along with the railway station and bus terminal.
Ever since SCC authorities closed vehicular movement on the bridge in September, people from different walks of life have been protesting the decision.
At the same time, concerned citizens have long been demanding that the historical bridge be repaired properly and vehicle movement be restricted permanently.
“Considering the admission tests of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (Sust) on Saturday and locals’ demands, we have reopened the Keane Bridge,” said SCC Mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury.
“However, no engine-run vehicles will be allowed to ply the bridge,” he added.
Asked about the delay in repair work, the mayor said the work could not be started due to unavoidable circumstances.
“The bridge has a unique steel structure and the Roads and Highways Department or city corporation don’t have the necessary expertise in this regard,” he said.
“After looking into the matter, we came to know that it [the bridge] was repaired by the Railways Department after the Liberation War. A team of experts from the department visited the bridge today [yesterday]. They will submit a report soon,” he said.
The mayor also said, “We hope to start the repair work soon to protect the heritage and will suspend vehicular movement on the bridge again during the work.”
Keane Bridge was built over the Surma in 1936, and named after Sir Michael Keane, the then English governor to Assam from 1932 to 1937.
Over the ages, the notable landmark’s condition deteriorated and it was first damaged during the Liberation War, and repaired in 1977.
Since then, no notable repair work, except some beautification, had been done, until the decision taken by the city corporation recently.
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