No move to rebuild bridge that collapsed after inauguration

A 40-feet long bridge at Borobhita union of Fulbari in Kurigram, which collapsed three months after its inauguration, is yet to be repaired causing severe suffering to thousands of people.

According to the sources of the Project Implementation Officer (PIO) office in Fulbari, the Disaster Management Division constructed the bridge in the 2017-2018 fiscal year at a cost of Tk 30,77,656 which collapsed in a flash flood on August 22, 2018, after its construction was completed in June.

More than 5,000 people living in seven villages in the union have become the worst sufferers of the situation as they are forced to cross the canal on makeshift rafts risking accidents.

Many locals alleged that irregularities marred the construction of the bridge as it was built with insufficient and sub-standard materials leading to the collapse of the bridge. The local administration visited the site several times after the collapse of the bridge but did not take any measure to ease the suffering of the people.

“Habibur Rhaman, a resident of Purba Dhaniram village said, “The bridge was a long-standing demand of the local people which was implemented after several years. It was unfortunate that the bridge collapsed soon after its completion.”

The bridge was built using insufficient iron rods, cement, and locally sourced sand leading to a poor foundation that might have caused the collapse during the flash flood, he added.

Marium Begum, 40, a primary school teacher, said the students have to cross the canal taking risk of accidents to attend school every day.

Khairul Islam, 35, another resident of the same village said, “There were huge irregularities and corruption in the construction work of the bridge. We staged a protest against the use of poor-quality construction materials on the site.”

Barobhita Union chairman Ataur Rhaman Mintu said the suffering of the people mounted high for the absence of a bridge on the canal. The bridge collapsed due to a lack of proper planning and design.

“We urged the authorities concerned to take effective measures soon,” he added.

The proprietor of the construction firm, Delowar Hossain Titu, Kurigram could not be reached over his cell despite repeated attempts.

When asked, PIO Sabuj Kumar Gupta rejected the allegations saying that the bridge collapsed for the strong current on the canal caused by the flash flood.

“We have sent a proposal to the higher authorities seeking funds for reconstructing the bridge. We will start construction works with a new design soon after the allocation of the fund,” the PIO added.

Fulbari Upazila Chairman Rabbani Sarker said, “We have sent a proposal to the concerned ministry to reconstruct the bridge.”