Historic Keane Bridge awaits restoration

More than seven centuries ago, Sylhet town flourished in the hilly terrain on the Surma river's northern bank.

Since then, the only way to enter the town was by crossing the river; like the mystic saint, Hazrat Shahjalal (R) had to cross magically on a prayer rug to conquer Sylhet by defeating King Gour Govinda in 1303!

Six centuries later, in 1936, a spectacular steel bridge was constructed over the river, and finally direct road communication with Sylhet town was established.

Sylhet was then a part of the Assam province and the 1,150 feet long and 18 feet wide bridge was named by the then governor of Assam, Sir Michael Keane.

The "Keane Bridge" was constructed by the then railway department. However, over the decades, the structure has deteriorated and is in severe need of renovation.

It was first severely damaged by Pakistan army during the 1971 Liberation War. After independence, temporary renovation was conducted and further renovation was done in 1977.

However, over the decades, the bridge's condition continued to deteriorate and all heavy vehicles except rickshaws and auto-rickshaws were suspended from using the bridge in the late 90s.

As the bridge became very shaky, the city corporation in consultation with the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) on September 1, 2019 suspended all vehicular movement by declaring it a footbridge.

However, after 52 days, the bridge was reopened for traffic amid citizens' demand.

As the bridge needed a complete restoration, the initiative was decided in a coordinated meeting on development projects in Sylhet in 2020.

The RHD then formalised the project and forwarded it to the ministry concerned. A fund of Tk 2.15 crore was allotted in February 2021. However, the progress was delayed for more than a year.

Md Mostafizur Rahman, RHD executive engineer in Sylhet, said, "As the bridge was previously renovated by the railway department and they have the expertise to work with steel structures, we commissioned the work to Bangladesh Railway."

Mohammad Abrar Hossain, bridge engineer (eastern zone) of railway, said, "The agreement with the contractor was signed last month and the contractor has given a one-year time frame to complete the bridge's restoration."

"Mainly the steel parts will be replaced and the structure will be strengthened. The manufacturing process of steel parts has already started and the physical work at the site will start soon," he added.

Abdul Hye Al-Hadi, chief coordinator of Save the Heritage and Environment, said, "As a nation, we have been known for negligence towards heritage sites. But this initiative for the Keane bridge restoration must be appreciated. Such work will encourage other government departments to give heritage sites the utmost importance."