They knew all along

The Tongi Bridge remained damaged for a quite long time, but authorities, instead of refurbishing the bridge, kept it only operational by putting steel sheets on it for the last two months, disregarding the risk of accidents.

They did this because they planned on tearing the bridge down, after opening a new 10-lane bridge within a few months, sources said.

On Wednesday, a five feet long and three feet wide slab of the bridge collapsed due to vehicular pressure, forcing authorities to halt traffic movement from that day. This caused huge tailbacks on Dhaka-Mymensingh highway for the last few days.

People have to suffer the tailbacks for another eight to 10 days, as authorities need time for repair work, which started yesterday.

There are two attached bridges over the Tongi canal: one was built more than 50 years ago, while another around 30 years ago.

The government is currently implementing a project, known as Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) to develop a dedicated bus route from Dhaka airport to Gazipur corridor.

Meanwhile, many travellers have resorted to using trains after traffic movement on the bridge stopped. PHOTO: STAR

Under the project, Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA), one of the project's four implementing

agencies, is constructing a 10-lane bridge over Tongi canal.

The government is supposed to tear down the two old bridges, as they are relatively low and do not comply with the vertical limit prescribed by Bangladesh Inland Water Development Authority.

"Steel plates were put on the oldest bridge around two months ago, when the damage surfaced, to keep it functional," said Mohirul Islam Khan, project director (of the BBA part).

"But, operation of vehicles dislodged the plates and caused further damage, leaving us with no alternative but to repair the slab," he told The Daily Star yesterday.

He, however, said the damaged bridge's main structure is in good shape. The problem was only with the slab.

Shafiqul Islam, managing director of Dhaka BRT Company Ltd, also said they kept the bridge operational by putting steel plates.

Roads and Highways Department (RHD) Chief Engineer Abdus Sabur, who visited the site yesterday, said it would take eight to 10 days to complete repair work.

He said although the bridge belongs to RHD, BBA is supposed to maintain it, as they are implementing a part of the BRT project.

Replying to a question, he said, "A minor repair work was done earlier, but it was not enough. So, they have to do some work again."

Asked whether the old bridge was not maintained properly, as it would be torn down after opening the new one, he said, "It may be a reason."

He said authorities have arranged for alternative routes to reduce traffic gridlock on the major highway.

BBA Executive Director Abu Bakr Siddique, also the Bridge Division's secretary, echoed the RHD chief engineer, saying that the plan to dismantle the old bridges may be the reason behind the lack of proper maintenance.

He, however, said: "We are now working to fix it and hope to complete work within a week."

Meanwhile, due to the situation, travellers are choosing trains to reach their destination, which is putting additional pressure on the railway, according to The Daily Star's Gazipur correspondent.