Bridge collapse snaps road link with Teknaf

The bridge at Hizolia in Ukhiya on Teknaf-Cox's Bazar highway collapsed on Monday, snapping border town Teknaf's road link with rest of the country. PHOTO: STAR

Ten people were injured as the bridge colapsed when a loaded truck was crossing it, sources said.

About 30 bridges on Cox's Bazar Teknaf route in Cox's Bazar district are too dangerous for use due to their dilapidated condition.

Everyday, thousands of people including tourists visiting bordering Teknaf and numerous trucks are forced to use the vulnerable bridges, which were officially supposed to be replaced 10 years ago.

Executive Engineer of Cox's Bazar Roads and Highways Department (RHD), when contacted yesterday, admitted that the bridges are risky but can not be replaced or renovated due to fund constraint.

"The bridges are unfit for plying of vehicles, especially heavy ones", he said.

Sub-assistant engineer Monir Ahmed, who looks after the Teknaf - Cox's Bazar routes, said only one bridge out of 12 in his area is in good condition.

He said 11 other bridges need immediate replacement or renovation.

Condition of the bridges is turning from bad to worse every day as loaded trucks cross the bailey bridges, defying restriction, as there is no alternative road to Teknaf.

Trucks up to 30-ton capacity cross the bridges quite often while RHD permits only five-ton-capacity trucks on those.

Abul Kashem, a businessman in Teknaf, said they are to travel risking life as most of the bridges are in dilapidated condition.

"Crossing the bridges is a big challenge for us since most of them are not fit use," said bus driver Monzur Alam.