STAFF CORRESPONDENT

More than 700 bridges and culverts under the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) have been found to be highly risky and in need of urgent repairs, according to an RHD survey.

The actual number may be higher, as inspections are yet to be completed in four out of 10 RHD zones. The findings were revealed at a discussion titled “Bangladesh Bridges: A Roadmap for Safety, Sustainability and Hazard Mitigation”, held yesterday.

The event was organised under the SASEC Road Connectivity Project-2 in collaboration with the Buet-Japan Institute of Disaster Prevention and Urban Safety at Buet’s Council Bhaban.

In a presentation, Shishir Kanti Routh, additional chief engineer (bridge management wing) of RHD, said there are 21,492 structures -- 7,741 bridges and 13,751 culverts -- under the RHD network.

RHD began its first periodic inspection of these structures in December 2021. So far, 15,437 structures -- 3,113 bridges and 12,324 culverts -- across six zones have been inspected.

Inspections in Rangpur and Cumilla zones were completed between 2021 and 2022, while Chattogram, Sylhet, Khulna, and Barishal zones were covered later.

Of the inspected structures, 13,406 (86.8%) were rated A-category (in good condition), 1,277 (8.3%) B-category (minor issues), 42 (0.3%) C-category (some risk), and 712 (4.6%) D-category (highly risky and in need of immediate repair).

When this correspondent asked Shishir Kanti about the reason behind the large number of D-category bridges, he explained that until 2021, He said years He

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