Bridge lying collapsed for two years

About 300 families at four villages in Naniarchar upazila of the district are in dire straits since the lone bridge they use for daily communications collapsed due to heavy rain and impact of landslides about two years ago.

The Department of Disaster Management built the 39-foot-long bridge over Suridas Para canal in 2014-15 fiscal years to serve the residents of Suridas Para, Jorippe Para, Mulokke Chhara and Campo Para villages in the upazila.

The concrete bridge, which was meant for light vehicles, has been lying in shambles for the last two years, local residents said.

During a recent visit to the area this correspondent found bamboos and logs placed around the concrete structure to support the bridge.

Many students were seen walking on the rickety structure to go to their educational institutions.  

Local farmers have to go through the same ordeal as they are compelled to use the bridge to go to Kutukchhari Bazar to sell their produce, adding that vehicular movement has been stopped on the bridge for long due to its dilapidated condition.

Gopalendu Chakma, a resident of the area, said people from four neighbourhoods depend on the bridge.

As the situation gets worse during the monsoon, he called for immediate measures to fix the bridge as soon as possible.

Retired primary schoolteacher Prafulya Kumar Chakma said it is very risky for the school kids when they cross the rickety bridge during rain.

Konil Chakma, a Class V student at Toruni Para Government Primary School, said he was afraid of crossing the canal due to strong currents in the canal, adding that his friends also felt the same.

Talks had been held with the authorities concerned, Naniarchar Upazila Project Implementation Officer Babul Kanti Chakma said, adding, “I think the bridge will be repaired in next fiscal year.”

Executive Engineer of Chattogram Hill Tracts Development Board Muhammad Mujibul Haque said a number of bridges in the district were damaged due to landslides last year, adding that steps are on to start the repair work.