Sand lifting poses threat to two Thakurgaon bridges
Contractors of Water Development Board extract sand just beside this important bridge over Tangon River in Thakurgaon town, ignoring objections from the Roads and Highways Department authorities. Photo: STAR
Contractors of Water Development Board have continued extracting sand from the Tangon River within 50 metres of two important bridges over the river in Thakurgaon despite objection from Roads and Highways Department (RHD). Vacuum in the river bed, caused by the sand lifting, poses threat to the concrete bridge that serves as link between the district headquarters with four upazilas, said experts and local people. A century-old iron bridge near Thakurgaon Shilpakala Academy Auditorium in the town is also affected due to the callous act, RHD officials said. During a visit on Monday morning, this correspondent saw sand lifting was going on from the Tangan River, within 50 metres from the middle of the concrete bridge, with two local made dredgers to fill up a big pond beside the river. Water Development Board is dredging 1150 metres of the river under 'Thakurgaon Town Protection Project' involving Tk 80-lakh and the sand extraction near the river is being done as part of the project. Deputy Commissioner of Thakurgaon Muhammad Shahiduzzaman inaugurated the dredging work as chief guest on April 19. Asked about sand lifting from within 50 metres of the bridge, contractor Md Hasan said, "We are extracting sand from the river with a light dredger with the consent of the Water Development Board officials. It will not harm the bridge as we dug only six feet deep." When contacted, Divisional Engineer of Roads and Highways Department Jahid Hossain told this correspondent, "We sent a letter to the executive engineer of WDB on April 23, asking him to stop the dredging within 50 metres of the structure as sand lifting poses serious threat to it. We have also informed the higher authorities of the matter for taking proper initiative." "The pillars of the concrete bridge might be affected if sand lifting creates a hole near the bridge. It may also affect embankments on the river," he said. When contacted, WDB Executive Engineer Naimul Haque said, "We ask contractors to lift sand up to eight-foot depth. It will not be harmful for the bridge." Replying to a query, he said, "We are yet to get the design of the bridge. We have written to RHD authorities for it."
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