AMTALI, BARGUNA, Oct 20: Thousands of people in Amtali's Haldia Union, Barguna, risk their lives daily by crossing 20 bridges, living in fear of a major accident like the Haldia Haat bridge collapse happening at any moment.
In June 2024, the Haldia Haat iron bridge collapsed, plunging a microbus into a canal and killing nine people. This tragedy has left residents terrified of the 20 other dilapidated iron bridges in the area.
An on-site inspection revealed that these bridges have developed cracks, rusted extensively, and become unstable in many sections. The railings on both sides are broken, the plaster on the pillars has chipped away exposing internal rods, and the central slabs of the bridges are crumbling. However, with no alternative routes, people and heavy vehicles continue to use these hazardous structures.
These iron bridges were constructed under a light vehicle project between 2002 and 2006. Local residents have demanded an immediate ban on vehicle movement over these bridges and the construction of new ones. The risky bridges include: Haldia Haat Bridge, Raribari Bridge, Awal Nagar Bridge, Bahadur Talukdar's residence adjoining bridge, Musuli's residence bridge, Gazipur-Kanthalia link bridge, Sonagaza Bridge, Altaf Talukdar's residence bridge, Ward No. 6 Sikdar's residence adjoining bridge, South Takhtabunia Rahimia Dakhil Madrasa adjoining bridge, the bridge in front of Tepura's Mallik residence, Jebison Haat Secondary School adjoining bridge, Molla's residence adjoining bridge, East Chila Ashikhar Khal bridge, Kapali sluice-gate adjoining bridge, Kalu Bishwas's residence adjoining bridge, Ward No. 9 Jennat Miar's residence adjoining bridge, Ward No. 9 South-West Sona Utha Bridge, Ward No. 7 Humayun Akan's residence adjoining bridge, Ward No. 9 Harun Member's residence adjoining bridge, and Ward No. 3 Melkar's residence adjoining bridge. Among these, the bridges at Molla's residence, Jebison Haat Secondary School, Ward No. 9 (Jennat Miar's residence), and in front of Tepura's Mallik residence have already collapsed.
The public in these areas endure immense suffering in their daily commute.
Md. Makbul Hossain, Joint Convener of the Upazila BNP, stated that unless these bridges are quickly repaired or rebuilt, a major disaster could occur, severing communication links. He demanded the swift construction of new bridges.
Md. Idris Ali, an engineer from the Amtali Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), said that the risky bridges will be replaced with girder bridges through various projects.
Amtali Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Roknuzzaman Khan assured that new bridges would be constructed promptly.
