Commuters suffer as bridge collapse snaps road link

Commuters are suffering a lot as a Bailey bridge on Dinajpur-Dhaka highway at Ambari area of Chirirbandar upazila collapsed on the night of May 28.

Heavy vehicles are now using the Dinajpur-Parbatipur road as the bridge is still under repair.

Work is going on to repair the bridge as soon as possible, said Suruj Mia, Executive Engineer of Dinajpur Roads & Highway. However, he could not say when communication would be restored. Engineers at the site said it might take 10 more days.

During a visit to the spot, this correspondent found that villagers had built a bamboo bridge over the Ichhamati River near the collapsed one. They were taking Tk 5 from each person who crossed the river.

Aminul Islam, a resident of Phulbari, alleged that his 40 minutes journey now takes almost double the time. "Besides, I am paying additional money," he alleged.

Short-distance passengers were seen coming to Ambari by bus and catching another bus from the other end of the bridge. "Nobody cares about repairing the Bailey bridge on such an important highway," said Azgar Ali of Ambari area, who owns a shop beside the highway.

In Madarganj area in Dinajpur Sadar upazila, there is another Bailey bridge which too might collapse. A span under the bridge has already collapsed while the loose iron plates on the bridge often disrupt the movement of vehicles.

According to Dinajpur Roads & Highway Department, there are four Bailey bridges in Dinajpur. Of them, three are on Dinajpur-Parbatipur road.