Thousands suffer as collapsed Bailey bridge not replaced

At least 50 thousand people in five upazilas of Nilphamari and Panchagarh districts are suffering a lot as a Bailey bridge over the Aoliakhana River on Jaldhaka-Domar-Dimla road in Jaldhaka municipality area of the district collapsed on Thursday night.

The bridge collapsed when an overloaded stone-laden truck was crossing it, defying a caution notice by Roads and Highways Department (RHD) stating that the bridge was declared risky. A speedy motorbike that was crossing at the time also fell into the water.

Trucker Yakub Ali, 40, his helper Md Russel, 25, of Pabna district, and motorcyclist Sumon, 26, of Jaldhaka upazila in Nilphamari, were injured, said locals.

As the authorities are yet to take any measures for making alternative arrangements to ease the commuters' suffering, people are crossing the river by banana-raft with risk of accident for the last three days.

During a visit to the spot yesterday, this correspondent found different heavy vehicles like buses, trucks, covered vans and oil tanks crossing additional 50 kilometres road to reach Jaldhaka or Rangpur.

Local lawmaker Golam Mostofa said he has already informed the roads and bridges ministry about the matter.

Nilphamari RHD Executive Engineer Tanvir Siddiquee said, to ease people's sufferings, they would start construction of a new Bailey bridge at the same place within a fortnight.