The dangerous Charbari SDS bridge built on the Dhaleswari river in Katuli union of Tangail Sadar upazila has been closed due to the collapse of the road. Lakhs of people in the western region are in trouble.
On Saturday (August 12) afternoon, a part of the road collapsed and disappeared into the river. Meanwhile, Executive Engineer of Tangail Water Development Board Sajjad Hossain assured to take quick action.
It has been seen that lakhs of people from Hugra, Kakua, Mahmudnagar, Porabari and Katuli Unions of the upazila move over the bridge built on the Dhaleswari River and the surrounding Sirajganj District. More than half of the road adjacent to the bridge has collapsed and disappeared into the river. As a result, the vehicles on the other side are unable to cross. Even though common people can walk on foot, vehicles are parked on both sides of the bridge. The common people of the western region have suffered due to this.
Locals said that since the construction of the bridge, the sand traders have installed illegal dredgers to extract sand from the river and sell it, so the approach of the bridge collapsed even before this. Later LGED re-built the approach. Even then, the sand traders did not stop. As soon as the water receded, a part of the road collapsed and fell into the river on Saturday morning due to sand being sold in the dark of night.
They also said that we have to travel through this bridge only in the morning, which is the only road connecting people of Char area with Tangail town. By spending a huge amount of money, the government has made it possible for the people of Char area to move. And if illegal excavation of soil from the side of this bridge is not stopped this suffering will happen every year. Next to our Torabganj, the transport stand from there has been closed from today. Business is closed. So they demanded the authorities to make quick repairs and provide communication opportunities.
Iqbal Hossain, chairman of Katuli Union Parishad, said that every year during the dry season, soil is cut next to the bridge. Because of which the side of the bridge collapses every year. All vehicular traffic on this bridge has been closed since this morning. He strongly demanded the concerned authorities to repair the road quickly.
Tangail Water Development Board Executive Engineer Sajjad Hossain said, we will visit the spot. At the end of the inspection, geo bags will be dropped there quickly to prevent erosion and communication will be arranged.