SOHRAB HOSSAIN,
Patuakhali
A severely worn-out iron bridge over the Baje Shinduk canal in Barguna’s Amtali upazila collapsed recently, raising concerns over disruptions in the daily commute of around one lakh people from six unions in Amtali, Kalapara, and Galachipa upazilas.
The bridge, located on the Gazipur-Kathalia road under Haldia union, had long been in a vulnerable state due to a lack of maintenance. Anticipating its collapse, locals began constructing an alternative earthen embankment beside it on April 25 through voluntary labour.
However, the bridge gave way before the work could be completed.
According to locals, the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) built the iron bridge in 2010 at a cost of approximately Tk 1 crore.
They alleged that the contractor, Shahidul Islam Mridha, used substandard materials, resulting in structural issues within five years of construction.
Despite being declared risky by LGED nearly five years ago, the bridge remained in use, serving residents and light vehicles. In recent months, it became completely unfit for traffic, prompting community members to take matters into their own hands.
“People began building an alternative route with their own hands, but the bridge collapsed before it was completed,” said Abu Saleh, a member of Haldia Union Parishad. “This will severely affect the movement of both people and vehicles in the area.”
Mahbubul Alam Mridha, a local resident, blamed the contractor for using poor-quality materials. “The bridge was already marked dangerous. The government must now urgently build a girder bridge in its place,” he said.
Efforts to reach the contractor, Shahidul Islam Mridha, also president of the Haldia union unit of Awami League and former UP chairman, were unsuccessful as his mobile phone was found switched off.
LGED’s Amtali Upazila Engineer Idris Ali said they were aware of the bridge’s collapse. “A proposal to construct a girder bridge has already been sent to the department. Work will begin once the project is approved,” he added.