Sidr-hit bridge without repair for 8 years

The super cyclone Sidr-hit iron bridge on Kachari canal at Mudubi in Rangabali upazila under the district has not been repaired in last eight years while another bridge at Mithaganj in Kalapara upazila remains unusable due to lack of repair.

As the iron bridge on Kachari canal was badly damaged during the onslaught of super cyclone Sidr on November 15 in 2007, locals built a bamboo bridge there.

Over 10,000 people of eight villages including a good number of students of at least five educational institutions in nearby areas have to cross the canal amid risk, said Md Jasim Uddin, chairman of Mudubi Bazar committee.

"Last year the upazila parishad called a tender to rebuild the bridge at a cost of Tk 20 lakh but the contractor did not do the work showing, cause of loss. I am trying to rebuild the bridge with the help of the upazila parishad," Abu Abdullah, chairman of local union parishad.

Another iron-bridge on Sapuria canal in Mithaganj union under Kalapara upazila needs immediate repair as most of its slippers are broken.

Over 30,000 people of at least 15 villages of Mithaganj, Dabluganj and Baliatali unions have to cross the bridge daily amid risk to maintain internal communication and also with upazila headquarters.

Abdul Mannan, Kalapara upazila engineer of Local Government Engineering Department, said, "We have already sent a project proposal to the higher authorities for building a girder bridge at the spot and waiting for budget allocation to build the bridge there."