Two bridges at extreme risk after RCC girders and plastic sheets collapse in Kurigram, heavy traffic stopped

Two bridges have become risky after RCC girders and plastic sheets of two bridges collapsed within half a kilometer of a road in Bhurungamari Upazila of Kurigram. Half of one bridge has also collapsed. As a result, heavy traffic has stopped. However, thousands of local people, including light vehicles, are moving at extreme risk.

Locals say that if the two risky bridges are not repaired quickly, major accidents including loss of life can occur at any moment.

The two bridges are located in the area adjacent to Dhaldanga Bazargami in Shilkhuri Union of the upazila. According to Upazila LGED engineering sources, the two bridges of 15 meters and 30 meters in length in Shilkhuri Union were declared risky a few years ago. However, due to lack of allocation, the two risky bridges cannot be renovated.

Local resident Rafizul Islam said that when light vehicles move over the two risky bridges, they start shaking. A major accident can occur at any moment, including loss of life and property. Therefore, the two bridges need to be repaired very quickly. Otherwise, the communication system of the people of this union may be cut off.

Local rural doctor Aminul Islam said that thousands of people, including school, college and madrasa students, use these two risky bridges every day. Many sick and pregnant women go to the Upazila Health Complex for treatment through this bridge. Since the two bridges are full of risks, the cost of importing and exporting goods of the traders of this union is increasing and is being affected. If the repairs are not done quickly, the union will fall further behind.

Local UP member Shamsul Haque said that the two bridges were built 30-35 years ago. For many years, the plaster of the two bridges has been falling off and becoming risky. As a result, the people of the entire union are moving in panic. Due to this, heavy traffic is stopped. As a result, the work of the Water Development Board's 6 packages to prevent erosion of the Dudhkumar River is stopped. Therefore, I strongly demand that the authorities repair the two bridges quickly.

In this regard, Bhurungamari Upazila LGED Engineer Inchaful Haque Sarkar said, "A proposal has been sent to the higher authorities for the construction of the two dangerous bridges. Construction work will begin as soon as allocation is received."