Bridge turns risky as 2 pillars subside thru' sand lifting
PICTURE TELLS THE TALE: Naodanga Bridge over Baromashiya River in Phulbari upazila of Kurigram district has remained in a highly vulnerable position since subsidence of its two pillars over a year ago.Photo: STAR
Naodanga Bridge over the Baromashiya River in Naodanga union under Phulbari upazila of the district poses risk of serious accident for users as two pillars in the middle of the 82-metre-long bridge subsided one year ago following indiscriminate sand-lifting by some local influential people. Over 5,000 people of Gorokmondal, Bhatiapara, Kamtapara, Anandapara and Namatari villages of Naodanga union have been suffering much as they cannot use the bridge for transporting their goods, said Rafiqul Islam, a local resident. Passers-by and small rickshaw-vans and bikes still use the bridge amid high risk, said Mizanur Rahman, another local. Chairman of Naodanga union Md Moshabber Ali said, “Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) constructed the bridge around 18 years ago. Two pillars of the bridge subsided over a year ago as some unscrupulous traders lifted sand from the Baromashiya River near the bridge.” “Several times we lodged complaints to the local LGED office to repair the bridge. I also informed the Phulbari UNO about the matter. But no step has been taken yet. Helpless people are now using the bridge amid high risk as they have to go to different places including cattle market 'Abashan Haat' at Gorakmondal village near India-Bangladesh border,” he said. When contacted, Phulbari Upazila Engineer of LGED Md Entajur Rahman said, “Local lawmaker Md Jafor Ali along with officials has visited the bridge recently. He advised me to place a project proposal with his recommendation for sending to the higher authority. Then experts will take decision on whether to repair or reconstruct the bridge. I am preparing the project proposal for the bridge.”
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