<i>A bridge in dire need of repair</i>
PICTURE TELLS THE TALE! A large number of people, including students, use this awfully dilapidated iron bridge over Moukaran canal in Dumki upazila under Patuakhali district, thanks to the indifference of the authorities concerned.Photo: STAR
The iron bridge over Moukaran canal flowing between Lebukhali and Lawkathi unions under Dumki upazila in the district has remained in an awfully dilapidated condition for two years. Built in 1990 by Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), the 240-metre-long bridge has hardly undergone any repair or renovation. The bridge virtually collapsed two years ago when it was hit by a sand-laden cargo, said Md Kalu Mollah, Ansar-VDP commander of Lebukhali union, also a resident of Lebukhali village. "A portion of the bridge broke down and most of its slippers also got displaced. We are using the bridge by setting up bamboos on the collapsed part," he said. Now schoolchildren have to cross the canal by boat as they cannot use the risky bridge, said Rafiq Mia, another resident of the village. Several thousand people from different unions of Dumki and Patuakhali Sadar upazilas still use the bridge as they have to cross the canal to come to Moukaran Bazar, a large market situated to the east of the bridge. Besides, there are two primary schools, three colleges, two high schools, a technical college, a community clinic and a madrasa at nearby places. Hasan Mahmud Dulal, chairman for Labukhali union parishad, said they submitted proposal to LGED on several occasions demanding renovation of the bridge but in vain. When contacted, Md Fuad Hossen, upazila engineer of LGED in Dumki, said, "Now LGED does not repair or rebuild iron bridges and so, we cannot take any step in this regard. The upazila parishad can repair the bridge by taking a project under their annual development programme." Dumki Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Asaduzzaman said, "We hope to renovate the bridge soon if we can get the project approved in the upazila parishad meeting."
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