Commuters suffer as bridge wall collapses

Road communications between Rowangchhari upazila and Bandarban district town has remained suspended since July 6 folowing collapse of the retaining wall of a Bailey bridge at Moinatoli in Rowangchhari.

The retaining wall collapsed due to the incessant rain, said Ashish Kumar Mukarjee, sub-divisional engineer of the Roads and Highways Department (RHD), Bandarban.

The RHD authorities hoisted red flags on both ends of the bridge as a warning signal, asking people and drivers of vehicles not to use the bridge.

Thousands of locals mostly farmers, traders, and students are suffering a lot due to the communication problem.

U Mya Nu Marma, a resident of Rowangchhari, said his 40 minutes' journey now takes almost double the time, besides costing additional money.

RHD official Ashish Kumar Mukarjee said although they do not have sufficient budget to repair the bridge permanently, they earlier took temporary measures to keep the communication normal.

“The authorities should take steps to set a permanent bridge on such an important road,” said Chala Mong Marma, chairman of Rowangchhari Sadar union parishad.