At least 12 bridges on the Tangail-Aricha zonal highway have become dilapidated, causing immense sufferings to commuters.

Local people, transport drivers, and vehicle owners are demanding permanent concrete bridges in place of the old bailey bridges.

They also demand the widening of the highway for smooth traffic movement.

The Tangail-Aricha zonal highway serves as an important link between South Bengal districts and Tangail, Jamalpur, Sherpur, parts of Gazipur, and greater Mymensingh districts.

The old bailey bridges on the highway had been constructed two decades ago in Alowa under the Tangail Sadar, Elasin under Delduwar, Chasha Bhadra, Dhuburia, Ararakumar, Tengripara, Tirsa, Bhalkutia, Barapusha, thana intersection, Dhalapara, and Khorshed Market under Nagorpur upazila of Tangail district.

The old bridges were not repaired, though the number of vehicles plying on them increased three to four times since their opening.

Since the bridges have become dilapidated, the roads and highways department has put up cautionary signposts, asking drivers to cross the bridges with care.

Passenger buses and goods-laden trucks make tremors on the bridges while crossing them.

One of the bridges was damaged when a goods-laden truck got stuck due to the displacement of a steel plate on the deck in January last year. The bridge was later repaired.

Several accidents occurred on the bridges during the last one year.

Golam Kibria Boro Moni, general secretary of the Tangail District Bus-Minibus Owners’ Association, said: “We demand the construction

of permanent bridges in place of the 12 vulnerable bridges and

the widening of the road to ease communication between

greater Tangail and Mymensingh regions and southern districts through Aricha.”

Aminul Ehsan, executive engineer of RHD in Tangail, said a proposal to construct new concrete bridges and widening the road had been sent to the authorities concerned.

"Work will start once the proposal is approved," he added.