Aging bridge poses risk in Nilphamari
An aging bridge on the Panga river at busy Domar-Panchagarh road via Boragari Bazar in Domar upazila lies in awful state, posing a serious threat to passengers.
The 160-feet long and 8-feet wide concrete bridge was constructed at Gomnati village during Pakistan era and its half portion was completely damaged in 1971 Liberation War as occupation forces fired mortar shells to disrupt communication.
After the Liberation War, the government set up a bailey bridge on the damaged portion to restore communication but it was damaged again in the flood of 1988 and since then it has not been repaired, said Abdul Hamid, chairman of Gomnati Union Parishad (UP).
Every day over 20,000 people and several hundred vehicles cross the bridge amid risk of accident as it is the only way to go to Panchagarh and Thakurgaon for people of Dimla and Domar upazilas, said locals.
During a recent visit, this correspondent found that cracks developed on the pillars and beams beneath the bridge.
Abdul Hafiz, a bus driver, said “We cross the risky bridge amid fear of death.”
UP member Zahidul Islam said a deadly accident may take place anytime if a new bridge is not constructed there.
Executive Engineer of Nilphamari Roads and Highways Department Hamidur Rahman said they wrote to the higher authorities for fund to build a concrete bridge replacing the vulnerable one but to no respond yet.
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