Locals of Char Gopalpur village under Ziarukhi union parishad (UP) of Kushtia sadar upazila are in grave danger of accidents as they have been using a risky bridge for the last two years.
The bridge, built on a canal named B-2 B K, is yet to be repaired since it was damaged two years ago.
As the authorities concerned did not take any measures to fix the bridge, locals took responsibility themselves, with help from UP member Shah Jahan, and put bamboo-made structures on the damaged part of the bridge.
According to villagers, not only hundreds of pedestrians, but a number of vehicles--both motorised and non-motorised-- use the bridge amid the risk of it collapsing anytime.
Shah Jahan, UP member of Ziarukhi union parishad's 4 no ward (Char Gopalpur) said: ''The bridge became unusable two years ago. I, along with the villagers, temporarily repaired it by building a structure made from bamboo. I informed the local LGRD authority and UNO of this hazardous bridge earlier , but a new one is yet to be constructed.''
''Most of the villagers of this union travel using this risky bridge. Locals of Harla, Meton and Molla Tegharia go to Kamlapur bazar using this bridge . Motorcycles, bicycles, rickshaws, vans are also being driven over the bridge which could trigger accidents at any moment. I heard a new bridge will be built in the next fiscal year.'' the UP member also added.
Yusu Ali Molla, chairman of Ziarukhi Union Paishad (UP) said locals have been using the damaged bridge, repairing it with bamboo made structure for many days. We informed the matter to the department concerned.
Md. Mustafizur Rahman, Deputy assistant engineer of Kushtia Water Development Board (WDB) said “I put up a warning sign for the people crossing the bridge that was built on 'B-2 B K' canal in Gopalpur union. Moreover, I posted photos of the damaged bridge to the Ganges-Kobadak Irrigation Project (G-K project) under which a new bridge will replace the damaged one after the project is sanctioned.
