A bailey bridge on Senua River near Thakurgaon town has become too hazardous due to lack of maintenance for years.
About 200,000 people of five unions of Thakurgaon risk their lives to cross the bridge everyday. Built about 20 years ago, the bridge is almost falling apart with its metal body becoming rusty and joints weak.
The local authorities put up a sign warning the commuters and urging heavy vehicles to stay away without any measure to renovate the bridge.
However, it is impossible to keep away since it offers the most convenient route for the adjacent five unions with other parts of the district.
Many businessmen, school-goers, small traders, patients and locals residents of Sadar upazila’s Akcha, Rajagaon, Borogaon, Devipur and Radhanagar use the bridge everyday.
One of the largest poultry farms of Bagladesh, Kazi Farms Ltd has its Yakubpur Kazi Breeders’ Farm in this area too.
General Manager of the Thakurgaon regional office of Kazi Farms, M Mohiuddin, said the poor condition of the bridge had been hampering their business.
“Our pick-up vans have to travel an extra 15-20 kilometres because we avoid the bridge,” he said.
Farmers and small traders are also incurring extra cost because of the detour.
Nurul Islam of Patiadangi said he had to spend Tk2000-3000 more per truck to carry his products to the markets.
Rice trader Mohammad Alam expressed frustration over the poor condition of the bridge and said the local politicians were all talk and no action.
Moreover, more than 1,000 students of nearby Riverview High School and CM Ayub Girls’ High School use the bridge.
Alim, a student of class 10 of CM Ayub High School, said his parents were always worried about his safety as he had to cross the bridge on the way to school.
Khoda Baksh and Parveen Bithi, teachers of Abul Hossain Govt College, said they avoided the bridge and walked over to the other side during the dry season. During monsoon, they take a boat.
Contacted, executive engineer of Local Government Engineering Department, Md Shahnur said: “The bridge was last repaired in 2011. After I joined my post, I have sent a proposal to construct a new bridge. That is still awaiting approval.”
Locals fear fatal accidents if the bridge is not repaired soon.
