Sand lifting poses threat to century-old bridge

Unplanned extraction of sand from Dudhkumar river in Kurigram's Bhurungamari upazila posing serious threat to century-old Sonahat Bridge on the river.

The iron-structured bridge was constructed during the British era, sources said.

People living nearby the bridge said a syndicate of some 12 to 15 local influential men has been extracting sand from the river near the bridge for the last two months.

Although local administration is aware of the matter, they are yet to take any legal action against the perpetrators due to unknown reasons, they alleged.

They said members of the syndicate in cooperation with the chairman of Paikerchhara Union Parishad (UP) continuing the illegal act, defying the law.

No one dares to protest the illegal activity as all the syndicate members are locally influential, they further said.

Sabur Ali, 65, who lives near Sonhat Bridge, said there are vast cultivable land, many dwelling houses and other establishments close to the bridge. 

The entire area may face serious erosion threat during the upcoming monsoon due to mindless sand lifting from the riverbed, he added.

Another local Taher Ali, 60, a farmer, said about 200 to 250 trucks carries the sand all day long.

Moreover, due to movement of sand-laden heavy trucks almost all the village roads are getting damaged and will gradually become unfit for use during the rainy season, he said.

Sabirul Islam, 55, a trader at Sonahat Land Port, said the iron-structured bridge is the only way that connects Sonahat Land Port with other parts of the country.

Trading will be seriously hampered if the bridge collapses, he added.

Khairul Islam, one of the syndicate members involved in the sand lifting, said hired labourers are extracting sand manually from a place far from the bridge.

The sand extraction will not cause any damage to bridge and nearby croplands, homesteads and other structures, he claimed.

Contacted, Paikerachhara UP Chairman Abdur Razzak denied the allegation brought against him and said he did not know anything about the illegal sand extraction.

Bhurungamari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Dipak Kumar Dev Sharma said they were taking preparation to stop the illegal sand lifting from the river.