Fund crunch hits bridge repairing

Large parts of the iron bridge on the Gudighata canal in Khanakuniary village under Sadar upazila broke down a year ago. It has been repaired with bamboo and tree trunks to serve the needs of locals. However, there have been some accidents, even some involving children, on the bridge.

According to sources in the local government and engineering department (LGED) of Sadar upazila, the 130-feet-long iron bridge had been built in 2001 at a cost of Tk. 12 lakh. On October 28 last year, a major part of the bridge collapsed into the canal.

Md Deen Islam Hawlader, member of Kadamtola union parishad, said about 10,000 inhabitants of local villages use the damaged  bridge to reach weekly bazaars. Moreover, students living in these villages have to cross the bridge to attend their classes.

A visit to the spot revealed that locals have fixed the broken part of the iron bridge with bamboos and tree trunks. Although there are railings on both sides of the bridge, it is difficult to keep one’s balance, making a crossing risky.

Shahadat Hossain, assistant teacher of Khanakuniary Fazil Madrasa, told this correspondent that more than 200 students cross the bridge, held together by bamboos and tree trunks, every day.

Recently, Rawshon Ara, 7, broke her hand after falling off the bridge while returning home from school.

Sarwar Hawlader of  Porgola said a truck had dashed against the iron bridge, making it shaky. But people continued to use it.

On the evening of October 28, 2017, parts of the bridge suddenly collapsed into the canal. Locals then requested AKMA Awal, MP of  Pirojpur constituency-1, to reconstruct the bridge. Engineers came several times to study the damage and take measurements since then, but the bridge is yet to be repaired and restored properly.

Md Hanif Khan, chairman of the Kadamtola union parishad, said he had raised the matter in the monthly meeting of the Pirojpur Sadar Upazila Parisad.

In the meeting, it was decided that a new bridge would be on the canal. But the bridge is yet to be built.

Noor Us Shams, engineer of Sadar upazila, said a report was sent to the LGED head office for the construction of a new bridge on the Gudighata canal. But lack of funds is holding up the project, he added.

 

Fund crunch hits bridge repairing

Large parts of the iron bridge on the Gudighata canal in Khanakuniary village under Sadar upazila broke down a year ago. It has been repaired with bamboo and tree trunks to serve the needs of locals. However, there have been some accidents, even some involving children, on the bridge. According to sources in the local government and engineering department (LGED) of Sadar upazila, the 130-feet-long iron bridge had been built in 2001 at a cost of Tk. 12 lakh. On October 28 last year, a major part of the bridge collapsed into the canal. Md Deen Islam Hawlader, member of Kadamtola union parishad, said about 10,000 inhabitants of local villages use the damaged bridge to reach weekly bazaars. Moreover, students living in these villages have to cross the bridge to attend their classes. A visit to the spot revealed that locals have fixed the broken part of the iron bridge with bamboos and tree trunks. Although there are railings on both sides of the bridge, it is difficult to keep ones balance, making a crossing risky. Shahadat Hossain, assistant teacher of Khanakuniary Fazil Madrasa, told this correspondent that more than 200 students cross the bridge, held together by bamboos and tree trunks, every day. Recently, Rawshon Ara, 7, broke her hand after falling off the bridge while returning home from school. Sarwar Hawlader of Porgola said a truck had dashed against the iron bridge, making it shaky. But people continued to use it. On the evening of October 28, 2017, parts of the bridge suddenly collapsed into the canal. Locals then requested AKMA Awal, MP of Pirojpur constituency-1, to reconstruct the bridge. Engineers came several times to study the damage and take measurements since then, but the bridge is yet to be repaired and restored properly. Md Hanif Khan, chairman of the Kadamtola union parishad, said he had raised the matter in the monthly meeting of the Pirojpur Sadar Upazila Parisad. In the meeting, it was decided that a new bridge would be on the canal. But the bridge is yet to be built. Noor Us Shams, engineer of Sadar upazila, said a report was sent to the LGED head office for the construction of a new bridge on the Gudighata canal. But lack of funds is holding up the project, he added.