Vehicular movement on Tangail-Aricha highway came to a halt as the Bailey Bridge in Nagarpur upazila collapsed.
The accident took place on Tuesday when a truck loaded with mustard was crossing the bridge built on a canal.
According to locals, the goods-laden truck loaded with mustard crossing the Bailey Bridge suddenly broke and got stuck on the bridge.
This bridge is the only means of commuting for lakhs of people in this region.
Locals alleged that a large number of vehicles are plying at risk every day as the condition of bailey bridge on such a busy road is fragile.
Although the renovation was done this year, the quality of the work was poor. The movement of heavy vehicles through the bridge has been prohibited, despite which hundreds of heavy vehicles use it every day.
According to sources, after the opening of the Dhaleshwari Bridge in 2013, the traffic movement from Tangail to Aricha and Paturia Ghat increased through this bridge.
Goods trucks and passenger buses use this road to get to the greater Mymensingh region including Tangail, Jamalpur and Sherpur.
On the other hand, small vehicles, including hundreds of CNG-run auto-rickshaws, are plying in the Tangail-Aricha-Paturia area every day.
The authorities concerned have not taken any action in this regard.
Nagarpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Wahiduzzaman told Dhaka Tribune: "We have confirmed the repair after talking to the executive engineer of the Roads and Highways Department. Quick measures are being taken to make the road fit for temporary movement.”
In this regard, Executive Engineer of Tangail Roads and Highways Department Md Aliul Hossain was contacted but he could not be reached.
