Expired Teesta rail bridge turns risky
Hundreds of commuters cross the Teesta Railway Bridge every day risking their lives as the longevity of the age-old bridge on the Teesta river in Sadar upazila expired in 2001.
Known as the gateway to Lalmonirhat and Kurigram from Rangpur, it was constructed as a 2100-foot-long railway bridge, with an expected lifespan of 100 years, over the river in 1901, said Anowar Hossain, railway divisional engineer in Lalmonirhat Railway Division under West Zone Railway, adding that 10 trains make up and down journeys on the bridge every day.
Longevity of the bridge has expired in 2001, he said.
“Railway Minister Nurul Islam Sujan visited the expired bridge on March 22 this year and assured us that a new railway bridge with broad gauge track would be constructed on the river very soon,” the engineer said, adding that Teesta Railway Bridge was earlier built with metre gauge track.
Design of Project Profile (DPP) for broad gauge railway is under processing, he said.
Locomotive Master Manik Islam said they have to slow down the speed of the train as the train starts shaking while crossing the bridge.
“Truly, we cross the bridge amid risk as the condition of the age-old bridge is so vulnerable that it may collapse anytime,” said Manik.
Stationmaster Nur Islam of Teesta Railway Station in Sadar upazila said it is very important railway bridge for communication of the people of Lalmonirhat and Kurigram as the bridge is known as the gateway to the two districts.
This railway bridge over the Teesta river has turned awfully risky as its longevity has expired, said train passenger Nurunnabi Islam of Station Road in the town.
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