Flood-damaged bridge lies without repair for months

People of 20 villages in Sundarganj upazila are suffering because a bridge at Ramdakua, five kilometres from the upazila headquarters collapsed during last year's flood and has not been repaired.

Transport links between the upazila headquarters and the villages have been hampered since the collapse of the bridge built on a Teesta River tributary.

People of the villages can cross the tributary on foot during the dry season, but in the rainy season they have to risk their lives by crossing in canoes.

Former Jatiya Party lawmaker Col (Rtd) Dr Abdul Kader Khan constructed the 600-foot long bridge under a special food for works programme in January 2013.

The bridge was built without consultation with the engineering department, and because of this, over 40 feet of the approach road on the eastern bank washed away during last year's flood, causing the bridge to collapse.

Authorities have not taken any initiative to repair the bridge despite repeated appeals, local people complained.

Shahidur Rahman, a rickshaw van puller, said, "I return home on foot every night, keeping the van in a garage in Sundarganj municipal area, which costs Tk 20 per night."

"We have to carry our bicycles on our shoulders while crossing the canal in the dry season. Very often we miss classes because we come late," said Anwarul Islam, a first year student at Sundarganj Degree College.

"We don't have adequate funds to reconstruct the bridge. However, the authorities concerned are going to arrange it," said Abdullah-Al-Mamum, mayor of Sundarganj municipality.

"Higher authorities have been informed about the matter through the deputy commissioner, Gaibandha," said Abdul Hye Milton, the UNO of Sundarganj upazila.