The steel bridge connecting Subarnachar of Noakhali and Ramgoti of Lakshmipur has become risky as the soil on its both sides has eroded away.
Built in 2002 in the wake of demands raised by people of the two districts, the 200-metre bridge over Bhulua canal is supported by three pairs of pillars. Thousands of people, including students and traders, cross the bridge every day, risking their lives.
Farmers in both the districts take the bridge to travel to the other side but they are now facing losses as no vehicle runs on the structure. They now take alternative routes to reach their destinations, which has almost doubled their transport costs.
Locals said there have been a number of accidents on the bridge that left many people injured. The surface of the bridge has waned and is full of holes, making movement on the bridge hazardous.
Karim, a local resident, said: “We have contacted several officials but no step has yet been taken to fix the bridge. So we filled the holes with mud and wood. It has been like this for quite a while.”
Wishing anonymity, another resident said some influential people have collected toll in the name of fixing the bridge but nothing was done.
“A man named Emran, 25, collects Tk20 from each motorcycle, Tk10 from each bicycle and Tk10 from each rickshaw that cross the bridge in the name of contributions to build a mosque. The extortion, existing for nearly five years, has been reported several times but the authorities concerned have taken no effective step to stop it,” he said.
People of both the districts demanded immediate steps to repair the bridge.
Subarnachar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Khalid Mehedi Hasan said the condition of the bridge was not that bad but necessary steps would be taken to fix the structure as early as possible.
“I would talk to the upazila nirbahi officer of the neighbouring district in this regard,” he added.
The upazila nirbahi officer of Ramgoti upazila could not be reached for comment over phone.
Ramgoti Upazila Parishad Chairman Professor Abdul Wahed said he would visit the bridge in person soon to observe its present state and would take necessary steps to fix it.
