Most of iron bridges in a shambles

Fifty-seven iron bridges out of 69 in Kalapara upazila of the district have become unfit for use due to lack of renovation, causing suffering to the people.

Locals said Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) and Patuakhali Zila Parishad built 69 iron bridges in all 12 unions in 1980s to ease communication with the upazila headquarters as well as with Patuakhali district town.

Twenty-one of the damaged bridges are in Nilganj union, nine in Mithaganj, seven in Dhankhali, six in Latachaplee, three each in Mohipur, Baliatali and Lalua, two in Champapur and one each in Chakamoiya, Tiakhali and Dhulashar unions, local union parishad (UP) chairmen said.

The slippers of these bridges are badly damaged or displaced, and the structures have become weakened.

Ali Akbar Master of Latifpur village in Mohipur said students of different schools and colleges face problems going to their institutions as the  iron bridges on Mulamer canal and Faprur canal are in bad condition.

We urged the union parishad chairman several times to take steps to repair or renovate these bridges, but in vain, he added.

Md Mahbub Gazi of Kumirmara village in Nilganj said they have to cross the damaged bridge risking their lives as they have no alternative.

The authorities concerned should take immediate steps to repair these bridges considering the interest of the villagers and the school children, he added.

UP chairman of Mithaganj Md Kazi Hemayet Uddin said communication over a bridge on Sapuria canal near Joybangla Bazar has almost stopped.

At least 50 people were injured in the last six months while crossing the bridge, he added.

UP chairman of Nilganj Md Nasir Mahmud said 12 iron bridges in different areas have become unfit to use due to lack of renovation.

Nasir said he proposed immediate steps to repair the bridges at the upazila development and coordination meetings several times, but in vain.

Md Ariful Islam, assistant engineer of Patuakhali Zila Parishad, said they did not have any information about the damage to these bridges, owned by the zila parishad.

They will send a proposal to the higher authorities to renovate these bridges after collecting information, he added.

Kalapara upazila LGED engineer Abdul Mannan said  they would build girder bridges replacing the iron bridges considering the interest of the locals.