Ramshackle iron bridge poses risk

An iron bridge on the Sandhya river's branch in Udoykathi union under Banaripara upazila of the district remains in an awful condition for years, much to the sufferings of thousands of people including school going children.

Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) built the bridge in 1985-86 fiscal year to connect Udoykathi to Harta union under Ujirpur upazila, said Rahad Ahmed Nany, chairman of Udoykathi union parishad.

"As the bridge became risky five to six years ago, we wrote to LGED to build a new bridge there," he said.

There are 11 primary schools, one high school and two bazaars near the bridge, he said.

The bridge may break down anytime as the sleeper has broken, said day labourer Mahabubul Alam, also a regular user of the bridge.

A large number of people use the risky bridge daily while it has become virtually off limits to vehicles, said Nazmul Alam, a college teacher of the area.

Humayun Kabir, sub assistant engineer of LGED in Banaripara upazila, said a new bridge will be built at the spot soon.