Railway bridge in bad shape
Damaged railway slippers of the Dewantala bridge over Bangalee River near Mahimaganj railway station in Gobindaganj upazila of Gaibandha pose risk of an accident anytime.Photo: STAR
Wooden sleepers on a railway bridge across the river Bangali, one-kilometre north of Mohimaganj station in Gobindaganj upazila, are in dilapidated state but the authorities concerned have turned a blind eye to the problem. Over a dozen trains, including three intercity express, run through the bridge everyday, risking major disaster any time as pins, nuts and bolts of the worn out sleepers have also lost strength. The wooden sleepers, fixed to the girders two decades ago, are yet to be replaced, locals and Mohimaganj station staff said. Moreover, no renovation work on the bridge was done, they added. Abdul Latif Prodhan, chairman of Mohimaganj Union Parishad, said local people have been demanding renovation of the bridge and replacement of sleepers for long, but the railway authorities are not paying heed to their demand. The bridge is so important in this section since three Dhaka-bound intercity trains from northern districts run through the bridge everyday the UP chairman added. Contacted, Golam Mostafa, sub-assistant engineer of Bonarapra railway junction, said they have already sent a letter to railway divisional office in Lalmonirhat to replace at least 50 worn out sleepers of the bridge. Those (sleepers) will be replaced soon, the engineers said. He further said they will put up two signs on both sides of the bridge, asking the drivers to run the trains with caution until the sleepers are replaced.
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