Bridge useless for 3 years in Patuakhali

With most of the sleepers broken or displaced, the iron bridge on Humoibunia canal in Amragachhia union of Mirzaganj upazila under the district remains virtually useless for three years, much to the sufferings of thousands of people.

Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) built the iron bridge on Fakir Haat-Amragachhia road about 20 years ago to ease communication with Mirzaganj upazila headquarters as well as Patuakhali district town, local sources said.

But in absence of repair for long, pillars of the bridge became weak and most of its sleepers broke.

A good number of students of Jhatibunia ME High School, Jhatibunia Girls' High School, Modhya Maidan Madrasa, Dakkhin Jhatibunia Government Primary School and Amragachhia Government Primary School located around the bridge have to suffer a lot due to the situation.

"Earlier several students got injured while trying to cross the bridge. The authorities concerned should take immediate steps to renovate or reconstruct the bridge," said Abdul Hamid Mallik, acting headmaster of Dakkhin Jhatibunia Government Primary School.

Abdur Rahim Mollah, a nearby shopkeeper, said they face problem to carry goods as rickshaws and other vehicles cannot cross the damaged bridge.

Md Sultan Ahmed, chairman of Amragachhia union parishad, said he will talk with the upazila administration and the LGED for immediate steps to renovate the bridge.