Repairing damaged bridges

It is disturbing to note that the bridge on the Sanchai River in Sadar upazila of Jhenidah has not been repaired, even though 18 months have passed since its damage. As a result, commuters are suffering a great deal. According to a report of this newspaper recently, currently, motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians are using a bamboo bridge, which has been made with money contributed by locals, to cross the river. However, heavy vehicles cannot use the bamboo bridge. Thousands of people of 20 villages have been suffering because of the damaged bridge. Not only in Jhenidah there are scores of damaged bridges throughout the country. Many bridges have been lying damaged for years together.

   Communication paves the way for development. When communication is disrupted, development is also hampered. Bridges are lifeline for the people living in rural areas. They are greatly dependent on the bridges. It is the responsibility of the relevant department to repair and reconstruct the damaged bridges. It cannot turn a blind eye to such an important issue. Adequate funds are allocated every year for construction, reconstruction and repair of damaged bridges. But proper utilization of the funds raises questions. There are allegations of widespread misuse of state money. In many cases bridges collapse and get damaged within a year or a few years of construction due to faults in construction works.  There is hardly any accountability and transparency in the works done.    

   In this way, millions of taka is wasted but sufferings of the people living in the areas do not end.  Minor defects can be addressed by taking immediate measures. Major defects cannot be addressed by emergency works. There are allegations that a section of dishonest officials, engineers and contractors wait eagerly for repairing the damaged bridges, so that they can make fortunes. Taxpayers bear the brunt of the situation. Had the allocated money been used properly the bridges would not have damaged so early.      In fact, many bridges are in vulnerable conditions in the country. The damaged bridges located in outlying rural areas are exposing the people to more sufferings. Those should be repaired and reconstructed on an emergency basis. Works done should be monitored strictly by persons of the relevant department so that sub-standard construction materials are not used.  Local public representatives can also be entrusted to monitor the works. 

Repairing damaged bridges

It is disturbing to note that the bridge on the Sanchai River in Sadar upazila of Jhenidah has not been repaired, even though 18 months have passed since its damage. As a result, commuters are suffering a great deal. According to a report of this newspaper recently, currently, motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians are using a bamboo bridge, which has been made with money contributed by locals, to cross the river. However, heavy vehicles cannot use the bamboo bridge. Thousands of people of 20 villages have been suffering because of the damaged bridge. Not only in Jhenidah there are scores of damaged bridges throughout the country. Many bridges have been lying damaged for years together. Communication paves the way for development. When communication is disrupted, development is also hampered. Bridges are lifeline for the people living in rural areas. They are greatly dependent on the bridges. It is the responsibility of the relevant department to repair and reconstruct the damaged bridges. It cannot turn a blind eye to such an important issue. Adequate funds are allocated every year for construction, reconstruction and repair of damaged bridges. But proper utilization of the funds raises questions. There are allegations of widespread misuse of state money. In many cases bridges collapse and get damaged within a year or a few years of construction due to faults in construction works. There is hardly any accountability and transparency in the works done. In this way, millions of taka is wasted but sufferings of the people living in the areas do not end. Minor defects can be addressed by taking immediate measures. Major defects cannot be addressed by emergency works. There are allegations that a section of dishonest officials, engineers and contractors wait eagerly for repairing the damaged bridges, so that they can make fortunes. Taxpayers bear the brunt of the situation. Had the allocated money been used properly the bridges would not have damaged so early. In fact, many bridges are in vulnerable conditions in the country. The damaged bridges located in outlying rural areas are exposing the people to more sufferings. Those should be repaired and reconstructed on an emergency basis. Works done should be monitored strictly by persons of the relevant department so that sub-standard construction materials are not used. Local public representatives can also be entrusted to monitor the works.