Erosion threatens Bir Shrestha Jahangir bridge in Barisal
Bir Shrestha Captain Mohiuddin Jahangir Bridge, locally known as Doaraika Setu, in Babuganj upazila of the district is under threat from erosion by the Sugandha River as a large portion of the bridge protection embankment has already gone into the river.
After emerging a shoal in Rakudia area along the western bank, the erosion by the river has taken a serious turn on the eastern site near Barisal-Dhaka highway.
Locals said the river will soon devour Doaraika Setu, Rashida Mosharraf Academy, a mosque, 30 residential and eight commercial houses and around 100 acres of cropland at Mohishadi village if emergency steps to stop erosion are not taken.
Vehicles ply the bridge approach road amid risk of accident as it (road) has been damaged at different points due to the impact of river onslaught.
Though properties worth cores of taka are destroying every year, the authorities concerned have not yet taken necessary steps to save the area from river erosion.
Dumping of sand bags and geo-bags into the river are not the proper steps to stop erosion. Rather, the measures give scope for corruption by the officials and contractors concerned, locals said.
They alleged the situation is getting worse for lack of coordination between
Roads and Highways (R&H) Department and Water Development Board (WDB).
Contacted, Shah Muhammad Shams Mokaddas, executive engineer of R&H, Barisal, said WDB is responsible for not taking steps to check river erosion. R&H can only repair the damaged roads and highways and prepare diversion roads to avoid danger, he added.
Muhammad Nazrul Islam, superintending engineer of Barisal WDB, said it is the duty of R&H to protect the bridge and road from being damaged. He said the WDB is trying its best to check river erosion.
Mahtabuddin, chief engineer of WDB Barisal region, said a plan to check erosion by the Sugandha was submitted to the water resources ministry in 2008 and again placed before the ministry on Thursday last. After allocation of fund, necessary steps will be taken to stop river erosion, the chief engineer said.
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