Our Correspondent :
A dilapidated but important bridge on Rayenda canal of Rayenda Bazar, Upazila headquarters of Sharankhola in Bagerhat district suddenly collapsed and fell into the canal in the early hours of Tuesday, according to a report received here. Fortunately no causality was taken place.
The bridge was constructed over the canal in the year 1998 by LGED (Local Government and Engineering Department) at a cost of Tk.35 lakh in order to connect Rayenda, the biggest and most important Bazar of Sharankhola Upazila as well as Rayenda Union Parishad with the adjacent Khontakata Union Parishad.
As a result, it (bridge) used to play an important role so long in the communication sector of the Upazila. But following the collapse of the bridge thousand of people as well as a good number of vehicles of those 2 Unions cannot cross the canal. On the other hand, boats carrying mercantile goods cannot move in the canal easily.
In the last year when the bridge slanted to a side the concerned department declared it abandoned and constructed a wooden bridge over the canal at a place one hundred (100) feet of the old one.
In spite of that passers-by and different vehicles used the bridge taking the risks.
Taijul Islam, a local inhabitant told the newsmen, the bridge was in a dilapidated condition for a long. In spite of that we used it risking our life. On Tuesday morning we found the bridge collapsed and fell into the canal.
Awal Mia, a night guard of Rayenda bazar disclosed, in the early hours (at about 5 am) of Tuesday the bridge was collapsed in a dreadful sound. But no causality was taken place as there neither passers-by nor any vehicle..
It was mentioned earlier that the bridge was constructed in the year 1998. Its pillars were made with ordinary iron. So, the pillars were damaged to a great extent. On the other hand, cracks appeared on the 3 RCC spans of the bridge. In spite of that thousand of people used to cross the bridge every day risking their life..
Abdul Matin, an Engineer of Sharankhola Upazila LGED office told, the bridge was declared abandoned and ban was imposed on the movement of the of the people and vehicles on the bridge a long ago by the department. He added, it was under proceessing for its removal through auction. There was a proposal for the construction of a new bridge near the old one. It was under consideration for final approval. But there is no land for the construction of the approach roads for the bridge.
