A Bailey bridge on the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway in Tongi, Gazipur, collapsed early Saturday, causing a cavard van to fall into the Turag River.
Traffic on the affected lane has been halted, though no casualties have been reported. The Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP) has urged commuters to use alternative routes.
According to witnesses and local sources, the one-way Mymensingh-bound Bailey bridge over the Turag River at Tongi-Abdullahpur suddenly gave way around 3am, trapping the cavard van belonging to Abul Khair Group.
An official from Abul Khair Group’s HR and Administration Department, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed that neither the driver nor the assistant was injured in the accident. Both individuals fled the scene immediately after the incident.
Engineer Khandaker Shariful Alam of the Gazipur Roads and Highways Department said: “The Bailey bridge was constructed in 2022 as a temporary structure for six months while a permanent bridge was under construction. Although the permanent bridge has been completed, vehicles continued to use the aging Bailey bridge, which had already been marked as risky. Plans are underway to remove the collapsed bridge and construct a new one.”
“Two Bailey bridges connect the Tongi-Abdullahpur area over the Turag River: one for Dhaka-bound traffic and the other for Mymensingh-bound traffic. Today (Saturday), the Mymensingh-bound Bailey bridge collapsed, disrupting transportation on that route,” he added.
Assistant Police Commissioner (Traffic) Liakat Ali of GMP’s Traffic Division confirmed the incident saying: “Though the Bailey bridge is out of service, vehicles are still using the flyover. However, traffic that previously relied on the Bailey bridge beneath the flyover is now unable to do so.”
In a post on their official Facebook page, GMP’s Traffic Division advised: “Dear passengers, the Mymensingh-bound Bailey bridge in Tongi has collapsed early this morning (Saturday). All commuters and vehicles using this route are requested to avoid the Tongi bridge and take the Kamarpur-Munnu Gate alternative road.”