Bailey bridge collapses in Munshiganj

Road communications between Tongibari and Lauhajang upazila were disrupted after a 23-year-old bailey bridge collapsed in Munshiganj early yesterday. Witnesses said the bridge collapsed in Gholtoli area around 12:30am when an overloaded truck was crossing the bridge.

The bridge had a carrying capacity of five tonnes but the truck was carrying around 70 tonnes of cargo, said executive engineer of Munshiganj Roads and Highways Division Dewan Abul Kashem. He said a new 36-meter-long bailey bridge section will be built.

An eyewitness, Md Mujibur Rahman, said the bridge collapsed when a truck loaded with tree trunks braked in the middle of it. The driver and his assistant managed to get out of the truck immediately.OC Abdullah Al Tayabir of Louhajang Police Station said the truck driver, Md Nuru Munshi, and his helper received treatment at local an upazila health complex. But they've been on the run since then.

Three-wheelers and light vehicles are using an adjacent lane as an alternative, said Md Shah Alam, a member of Gawdia union's ward-9 while heavy vehicles are using the Sipahipara-Ichapura-Srinagar road.