Bulkhead damages 8 protective walls of Sheikh Jamal Bridge

A bulkhead accident at Sheikh Jamal Bridge, on the Patuakhali-Kuakata Highway, damaged eight protective walls of two girders. According to engineers from the Roads and Highways Department, the damage is estimated to be around Tk 88 lakh.

After inspecting the damaged part of the bridge for two days, Mahmudur Rahman, sub-divisional engineer of Patuakhali Roads and Highways Department, said that six out of eight safety walls were completely damaged. Other two are tilted. Each protection wall cost around Tk 11 lakh to construct, he said.

A sand carrying vessel collided with the girder of the Sheikh Jamal Bridge on Thursday morning. Shortly after the incident, the Coast Guard arrested four of the vessel's employees. Although they were later released, the bulkhead was seized.

Mahmudur Rahman and Deputy Assistant Engineer Rajib Adhikari inspected the damaged section of Sheikh Jamal Bridge after the accident.

Engineer Mahmudur Rahman said, "After two days of inspection, a letter was sent to the higher authorities informing them of the overall situation. Maybe by forming a quick investigation team, the necessary steps will be taken. Moving vehicles over the bridge, on the other hand, will not be a problem."

Mahipur Police Station Office-in-Charge, Khandaker Md Abul Khair, said a general diary (GD) has been filed and legal action would be taken after an investigation with the court's permission.