A.F.M Asad Ullah: The damaged bridge at Jagdishpur Barakhal in Jagannathpur, Sunamganj, has not been repaired for three years. As a result, people of 25 villages are suffering. As the bridge is at serious risk, all types of heavy vehicles are closed. However, small vehicles are moving at risk.
On a visit to the site, it was seen that two pillars of the bridge were leaning and leaning a lot. Parts of the two middle pillars have cracked. The railing of a part of the bridge has collapsed. Arrangements have been made to fill the collapsed connection road on the eastern part of the bridge with soil.
Locals said that the old bridge built under LGED over Barakhal in Jagdishpur village of Kalkalia union of the upazila was severely damaged in the terrible flood of 2022. The two middle pillars of the bridge were leaning downwards due to the flow of flood water and the approach of a part of the bridge collapsed, stopping traffic. As a result, after the direct traffic on the Telikona-Chandichar road was closed for a year, the locals took the initiative to fill the damaged area and allow traffic to pass.
However, since the bridge is risky, all types of heavy vehicles are closed. People from Jagadishpur, Sridharpasha, Galakhai, Kamarkhal, Kandargaon, Kadipur, Noagaon, Telikona villages of the union, as well as at least 25 villages of Dirai and Shantiganj in the neighboring upazila, are communicating with the district town through this bridge.
Mostafizur Rahman Talukder of Kandargaon village said that the locals are suffering a lot as the bridge has not been repaired even in three years. The flood currents have caused the bridge pillars to slide downwards and the connecting road has collapsed, stopping traffic. After being closed for a year, some repairs have been made on the initiative of the locals and traffic has been normalized.
Milan Mia of Jagadishpur village said, we are having a hard time traveling on the risky, leaning bridge. If the water level in the canal increases during the monsoon, the bridge will be at further risk. Accidents may also occur.
Local resident and social worker Abdus Sobhan said, at least 50,000 people from 25 villages of Kalkalia Union, Dirai and Shantiganj travel through the Jagdishpur Bridge. We are demanding the authorities to repair the bridge as soon as possible to alleviate public suffering.
Local Union Parishad female member Hosna Begum said, people from at least 10 villages of our union, as well as 15 more villages of the neighboring Dirai and Shantiganj upazilas, are constantly traveling through this important bridge. We have repeatedly demanded the relevant department to repair the bridge.
Jagannathpur Upazila Engineer (LGED) Sohrab Hossain said, the tender process has already been completed for the construction of the flood-damaged bridge. The contracting company has also visited the site and brought the materials. The work will start soon.
