A death trap for commuters
A bailey bridge on Kalihati-Dhalapara-Barachaona road in Nondakuri area under Birbasinda union in Kalihati upazila has remained badly damaged for long, causing untold sufferings to its users as well as hampering the movement of traffic.
The severely damaged bridge on a local waterbody has virtually turned into a death trap for commuters.
Locals said different goods-laden trucks, passenger carrying vehicles and pedestrians cross the vulnerable bridge, constructed on a river pass between Kasturipara and Razafair, risking their lives.
Due to the dilapidated condition of the bridge fatal accidents can occur any moment, locals added.
During a recent visit to the area this correspondent saw that the steel plates on a large portion of the deck have caved in due to heavy pressure of vehicles.
Villagers said alongside the pedestrians, various light vehicles including pick-up vans, CNG-run three-wheelers, battery-run easy bikes and motorcycles ply the damaged bridge taking risk of accidents.
Several hundred vehicles, carrying passengers and goods, from Kalihati upazila headquarters use the damaged bridge every day to go to Borochaona, Dhalapara and Deopara villages in Sakhipur and Ghatail upazilas and several other villages in Kalihati upazila.
Mohammad Ali of Razafair village said they are forced to use the vulnerable bridge as there is no alternative.
Despite repeated appeals for long the authorities concerned are yet to repair the damaged bridge, he added.
Saheb Ali, an easy-bike driver who drive his vehicle on the risky bridge every day, said fear grips him while moving the damaged portion of bridge.
"We have no other alternative, but to cross the bridge risking our lives to go to the destinations," he said.
Three-wheeler driver Aminur said as thousands of passengers and hundreds of vehicles ply the bridge every day, the authorities concerned should repair the damaged portion of the bridge immediately.
"Condition of the bridge is so dilapidated that vehicle can fall into the river at any time," one of the commuters Atiqul Islam said.
Kalihati Upazila Engineer of Local Government and Engineering Department (LGED) Zahir Mehedi Hasan said all the four bailey bridges, including the damaged one, were previously under the Roads and Highways Department which were later handed over to LGED.
"Works to repair the damage bridge will begin next week," the engineer said.
Initiative to construct concrete bridges in place of the worn out bridges will be taken as soon as possible, he said.