The concerned authorities have not taken any initiative to repair the bridges in Jalalpur and Lohajuri Unions of Katiadi Upazila of Kishoreganj for a year and a half. More than 50,000 people of the two unions suffer every day.
The bridge is getting more risky day by day. The railings on both sides of the bridge are collapsing. Somewhere again the concrete of the railing fell off and the rod became visible.
Locals complained that the bridge has been in a state of disrepair for a long time but the concerned authorities are not taking any initiative to repair it.
Pedestrians and vehicles are crossing the bridge at risk. As a result, big accidents can happen at any moment.
Thousands of people from the two unions use the bridge to travel on CNG, motorbikes, auto rickshaws and pickups.
In this situation, the locals demand repair of the bridge quickly.
Going to the spot, it was seen that the concrete of the railing of the bridge had fallen off and the rod had come out. The railing has broken somewhere.
The concrete on the deck is also falling off. The locals claimed that substandard materials were used in the construction of the bridge. Abdul Rahim, a local resident said that after the construction of the bridge, the communication between the residents of the two banks became much easier. But the bridge is collapsing due to poor construction. No bridge can have such a predicament. We always take risks to move.
Jalalpur Union Acting Chairman Golap Mia said the construction of the bridge has radically changed the communication between the people of the two unions.
But at present the condition of the bridge is quite fragile. It needs to be reformed quickly. For this we have made an application to the upazila administration for the reconstruction of the bridge.
Katiadi Upazila Engineer (LGED) Shah-Alam said, "We have already sent estimates to our headquarters regarding the collapse of the bridge." Estimates can be approved within the next two weeks.
Once approved, it will be possible to complete the work quickly by inviting tenders.