Two rail bridges in Gaibandha need urgent repair

At least two century-old rail bridges on Santahar-Lalmonirhat rail tracks, which connects the capital with cities in northern districts, continue to be in service despite their ramshackle state.

On the same tracks, there are six other run-down bridges, also built during the British era, that require immediate attention of the authorities.

Among the two risky bridges, one is located in Bheramara over the Ghaghot river near Gaibandha rail station’s south outer signal. The other one is at Badiakhali rail station. The last one sustained heavy damage during the recent flood.  

As many as 14 trains including four intercity express trains pass the bridges every day at an exceedingly reduced speed as a cautionary measure.  

Abul Kashem, station master of Gaibandha rail station, told this correspondent that the rail authorities deployed a watchman at the Bheramara bridge to ensure the trains slow down while crossing it due to its appalling shape.

The bridge near Badiakhali rail station in Gaibandha is also in a deplorable condition. A section of it was washed away during last flood, suspending rail communications for three weeks.

The bridges were built with lime and brick dust during the British rule, nearly 120 years ago. Cracks have developed in a number of bridge piers and many of the wooden slippers and metal parts on the bridges have worn out, the station master also said.

A frequent train traveller and a private firm employee, Monwara Begum, said train passengers spend nervous time in their seats while the train moves on the bridges at a snail’s pace.

Atwar Hossain, a signal man at the Bheramara bridge, said before an approaching train gets on the bridge, he stops it by waving a red flag. He then gets signature of the train driver before allowing the train to cross the bridge at a speed of 10 miles per hour.  

Bangladesh Railway’s Sub-Assistant Engineer Afzal Hossain at Bamondanga rail station said there are eight large and small bridges along the route and out of those, the ones in Bheramara and Badiakhali need immediate repair as those are in a vulnerable state.

Anower Hossain, divisional railway engineer in Lalmonirhat Division, said they already floated tender for complete overhaul of the bridges and the works will start soon.