A bridge over the Sarmangla River in Rangpur’s Taraganj upazila has become unfit for traffic after nearly four decades without proper repairs, raising fears of major accidents.
The bridge is the only route connecting Shailbari and nine neighboring villages under Alampur Union. Around 25,000 people, including students, farmers, laborers and other professionals, use the bridge regularly.
A recent visit found most of the bridge’s railings broken or completely missing. The structure, only about 3.5 feet wide, has virtually no safety barriers on either side. Plaster has peeled off the pillars, exposing reinforcement rods, while several potholes have developed on its surface.
The dilapidated bridge can no longer safely accommodate vehicles other than motorcycles and bicycles. Rickshaws, vans and auto-rickshaws have to cross the bridge at considerable risk, while ambulances and microbuses cannot use it because of its narrow width.
Farmers from the surrounding villages are among the worst affected. They struggle to transport rice, vegetables and other agricultural produce to local markets and are often forced to take longer alternative routes, increasing transportation costs.
Madrasa teacher Eshramul Haque of Shailbari said the bridge was too narrow for regular vehicular movement. “Rickshaws, vans, microbuses and auto-rickshaws cannot cross it,” he said.
Lokman Hossain of Dangapara said the bridge shakes when people cross it. “The railings are broken and the pillars have developed cracks. Only Allah knows when it may collapse,” he said.
Local schoolteacher Momtaz Uddin said farmers and young students were suffering the most because of the bridge’s condition.
Aminur Rahman, an elderly resident, said locals had repeatedly sought repairs from MPs, union council chairmen and members over the past 15-16 years, but received only assurances.
Taraganj LGED engineer Nafiur Rahman said a proposal had been sent to the district authorities for reconstruction of the bridge. He said construction of a permanent bridge would begin once the required budget and project approval were secured, but he could not say when work would start.