77 bailey bridges in Khagrachhari run risk of collapse

A bailey bridge at Sapmara area on the Khagrachhari - Chittagong Road caved in last year is yet to be renovated. PHOTO: STAR

Everyday, thousands of people leaving or arriving in Khagrachhari by road, are forced to use these bailey bridges, which were officially supposed to be replaced 15 years ago.

Mohammad Iqbal, executive engineer of Khagrachhari Roads and Highways Department (RHD), admitted that commuters are taking great risks using these bridges, which could not be replaced due to fund constraints. "The bailey bridges are unfit for plying of vehicles," especially heavy ones, he said.

"We are frightened at the conditions of the bridges," he said, adding that the road communications of Khagrachhari with rest of the country will snap any day.

Experts and authorities concerned have expressed many a time their worry about loss of properties and valuable lives due to the risk by ramshackle bridges. They fear that road communications of Khagrachhari with rest of Greater Chittagong and country may be snapped any time.

Mohammad Masud, a sub-assistant engineer, who looks after the Panchhari-Khagrachhari and Panchhari-Logung routes, said only one bailey bridge, out of 12, in his area is in good condition. He said 11 other bridges need immediate renovation.

Bangmara-Pughimara bailey bridge collapsed last year, leaving one worker dead on the spot and six injured, when an overloaded truck was trying to cross the bridge. Communications of Khagrachhari with rest of the country were snapped for nine days due to the accident.

Condition of the bridges is turning from bad to worse as heavily loaded trucks ply regularly over the bailey bridges defying rules.

The trucks with 25 to 30-ton-capacity ply over the bridge quite often while government rules permit only five-ton-capacity trucks to cross the bridge. On an average, 35 to 40 overloaded trucks cross the bridge everyday, sources said.

Adarshi Chakma, a high school teacher from Panchhari, said they are to travel risking life as most of the bridges are in dilapidated condition.

An RCC bridge can be a better option and permanent remedy for all of us, she said.

Bappu, 24, a jeep driver, said they are caught in uncanny fear while crossing the decrepit bridges.

"Riding or driving on the bridge is indeed a big challenge for us since the bridges are not fit at all," he said.

Sources said the government constructed 31 temporary bailey bridges in Khagrachhari during 1978-1982 and the number was raised to 87 until 1990.