Risky journey on weak Bailey bridge

The Bailey bridge over the river Swarnamoti on Lalmonirhat-Burimari Highway is on the verge of collapsing at Sarpukur area under Aditmari upazila of the district due to heavy pressure of traffic.

The bridge is the only connection between four upazilas and Burimari land port with the district headquarters, so it is busy round the clock.

Locals say the Roads and Highway Department (RHD) spent a lot of money to build the Bailey bridge, but it was done without proper planning. RHD official said Tk 67 lakh was spent to build the bridge and Tk 6 lakh was spent to maintain it. They are still maintaining the bridge every day as it may collapse at any time, they added.

Atiar Rahman, a schoolteacher at Sarpukur village, said, “If the Bailey bridge had been built with proper planning, it would not have been in such a bad condition."

Azibar Rahman said they are happy as a new bridge over the river Swarnamoti is being constructed, but unhappy as the temporary bridge causes so much suffering to them. “Traffic jam is a common phenomenon on both sides of the bridge as it is the only connection between four upazilas and Burimari land port,” he added.

Bus driver Ziaur Rahman, 42, said he drives over the vulnerable bridge at the risk of his and the passengers' lives as it maybe collapse at anytime. It is a death trap, and he would not use the route if there was an alternative, he added.

Truck driver Aftab Uddin, 48, said he is afraid of losing his life when he drives his loaded truck on the bridge.

Sahidul Islam, estimator of RHD in Lalmonirhat, said the bailey bridge is a temporary measure as the main bridge is under construction. “The temporary bailey bridge has a capacity to bear a 10-tonne vehicle, but trucks carrying 45 to 50 tonnes from Burimari land port also use the bridge,” he added.