Bridge turns risky due to lack of renovation

Road communication between Shaghata and Fulchari upazilas and Gaibandha district headquarters remains very risky due to awful condition of the bridge over the Alai River at Badiakhali in Gaibandha Sadar upazila.

The bridge was constructed during the British rule.         

Seven years ago, a 15-foot section of the floor and the foundation pillar collapsed during a flood. The Roads and Highways Department (RHD) repaired the damaged portion of the bridge with iron plates just for restoring communication.

On April 16, 2010, a large portion of the floor on the northern side broke down. The authorities set up a small bailey bridge over the damaged part, which made the bridge more vulnerable. Vehicles cross the bridge with great risk as has become bumpy, and mishaps occur almost every day.

Pedestrians and school-going children face the most trouble while crossing the bridge, as it is jam-packed all the time, said Bimol Kumar, a trader of Badiakhali bazaar.

"Taking great risk, we cross the bridge every day", said Shahidul Islam, driver of a CNG-run three-wheeler.

Vehicular movement over the bridge remains closed occasionally for repair work, and people have to travel an additional three kilometres to reach Gaibandha district headquarters, said Rafiqul Islam, chairman of Badiakhali Union Parishad.

No initiative has taken by the authorities concerned for proper repair of the bridge, despite repeated appeals from different quarters. Although RHD submitted a proposal to the higher authorities last year for construction of a concrete bridge at a cost of Tk 11 crore 28 lakh, it is yet to be approved.

"Work for acquisition of land and construction of a new bridge will start as soon as funds are allocated," said Mahbubul Alam Khan, executive engineer, RHD, Gaibandha.