A portion of a newly-constructed bridge on Naaldiga river in Netrakona's Kalmakanda upazila has collapsed a few weeks ago, disrupting vehicular movement and causing sufferings to locals.

Locals said due to the recent heavy rainfall, the guarder wall on the west side of the bridge has also been affected. 

The authorities concerned are yet to take any step to repair the collapsed part of the bridge, they alleged, adding that incident occurred due to use of substandard materials during the construction of the bridge.

Koilati Union Parishad (UP) Chairman Joynal Abedin said a large portion of the bridge, built spending nearly Tk 13 crore near Shyampur Bazar, collapsed within one and a half years of its construction.

Around 40 thousand people of 15 villages, including Shyampur, Bishampur, Chiler Kakuria, Sanura, Kanura and Indrapur, use the bridge to go to the upazila headquarters and other destinations, he said.

Earlier, hundreds of small and heavy vehicles used to ply the bridge every day, but now only three-wheelers and motorbikes use it risking their lives.

Besides, hundreds of students use the bridge as there are at least 15 educational institutions including primary and high schools on both sides of the bridge, said Abu Hanif Akanda, a local ward member.

Hanif, also organising secretary of Koilati union unit Awami League, said they protested the use of substandard materials during the construction of the bridge.

They even forced the contractor to stop the construction work, but all their efforts went in vain, he added.

On the night of November 28, three people on a motorbike fell into the deep hole of the broken bridge and sustained critical injuries, former chairman of Koilati UP Rubel Bhuiyan said, adding that the injured are still undergoing treatment at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital.

After the incident, locals put a bamboo pole inside the gaping hole to aware people about the danger ahead, he further said.

Netrakona Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) Sub Assistant Engineer Imran Hossain said due to heavy rainfall last month earth underneath the approach road of the bridge washed away and affected the bridge.