The long dilapidated iron bridge built over the canal adjacent to Sherukhar Bazar in East Banshbunia village of Amkhola union in Galachipa upazila of Patuakhali has suddenly collapsed.
One end of the bridge collapsed during a pedestrian crossing on Saturday. The bridge is the only means of transportation for school-college students and teachers, the elderly, children, patients and pedestrians. As a result, the only means of communication to the Union's commercial market, Upazila Sadar and Health Complex is cut off. The people of the village are in trouble. Thousands of people commute daily through this extremely crowded bridge. Locals demanded that the bridge to be repaired to alleviate the suffering of the people. Local UP member Md Badal Khan visited the spot immediately.
It can be seen on the ground that the western end of the Iron Bridge built over the canal adjacent to Sherukhar Bazar in East Banshbunia village of Galachipa upazila is completely broken and drowned in the canal water. The bridge collapsed on Saturday, but no major accidents were reported and people reached the shore safely. However, thousands of people in the village on both sides of the canal have suffered. Farmers are not able to supply their agricultural products.
Farmers are fearing that they will face extreme losses due to failure to supply various agricultural products including watermelon, paddy and pulses in time.
Eyewitness Md Nazrul Islam said, "As we were crossing the bridge from the east side, when we reached the west side, suddenly a noise came." As we quickly descended from the bridge, the whole bridge collapsed and communication was cut off instantly.
In this regard, villager Bachchu Sharif said, "We are not able to go from one side to the other now as the old iron bridges have collapsed." We are facing many problems in this. If the bridge is not rebuilt, there will be no end to our suffering.
In this regard, UP member Badal Khan said that the bridge is really very important for the people on both sides. The UP chairman has been informed about the breakdown.