Bridge collapsed : People immensely suffering in Birganj
Mahidul Islam Ripon, Dinajpur
A bridge, once the lifeline of a village and the main communication route, has now turned into a death trap. In Balrampur Mondalpara, Nijpara Union, Birganj Upazila, Dinajpur, a critical bridge over the Dhepa River has been in a dilapidated state for nearly three years.
Despite repeated complaints from locals to the authorities, no efforts have been made to repair or reconstruct the bridge. Every day, hundreds of people, including schoolchildren, the elderly, and patients, cross the river using a makeshift bamboo bridge, risking their lives. The collapse of the bridge has pushed the suffering of the people beyond limits.
Constructed in 2012, this bridge has been deteriorating over time, with various parts sinking and on the verge of collapse. Over 100 families, comprising several thousand people, rely on it for daily commuting. Farmers use it to transport crops to and from the fields, and students depend on it to attend schools and colleges. Additionally, the bridge is the only means of transporting agricultural produce from approximately 500 acres of farmland.
Local resident Abu Bakkar Siddik (60) said, “We risk our lives daily crossing this broken bridge. Transporting agricultural produce to the market is a struggle. Who will take responsibility if an accident occurs?”
Anjuara Begum (55), another resident of the area, added, “Schoolchildren cross this broken bridge. The situation becomes even more frightening during the rainy season. We have informed the chairman and members multiple times.”
Nayan Islam (19), a local college student, stated, “This bridge is crucial for us, but it’s in such a condition that a major accident could happen anytime. We demand the immediate construction of a new bridge.”
Mohammad Mamtajul Islam, principal of Balrampur Dakhil Madrasa, remarked, “Many of our madrasa students use this broken bridge daily. It becomes especially dangerous during the rainy season. We live in constant fear of an accident. Parents are also worried. If the bridge is repaired or rebuilt soon, students will be able to travel to madrasas, schools, and colleges safely.”
Nijpara Union Parishad Chairman Anisur Rahman Anis said, “I have raised the issue of the bridge multiple times in upazila administration and law-and-order meetings, warning that a major accident could occur anytime. I will formally notify the upazila administration and LGED engineer in writing. I stand with the people and urge them to remain cautious to avoid safety risks.”
Birganj Upazila Engineer Jibril Ahmed stated, “No written complaints about the bridge in Balrampur Mondalpara over the Dhepa River have reached our office yet. From what I understand, this bridge is not under LGED’s jurisdiction and was likely constructed locally in 2012, possibly under the initiative of the then-chairman. Therefore, we have no direct authority to intervene. However, if the local administration requests or directs us to provide engineering assistance, we are ready to help.”
Locals demand that if the bridge is not repaired or rebuilt promptly, a major tragedy involving loss of life could occur at any moment.
Constructed in 2012, this bridge has been deteriorating over time, with various parts sinking and on the verge of collapse. Over 100 families, comprising several thousand people, rely on it for daily commuting. Farmers use it to transport crops to and from the fields, and students depend on it to attend schools and colleges. Additionally, the bridge is the only means of transporting agricultural produce from approximately 500 acres of farmland.
Local resident Abu Bakkar Siddik (60) said, “We risk our lives daily crossing this broken bridge. Transporting agricultural produce to the market is a struggle. Who will take responsibility if an accident occurs?”
Anjuara Begum (55), another resident of the area, added, “Schoolchildren cross this broken bridge. The situation becomes even more frightening during the rainy season. We have informed the chairman and members multiple times.”
Nayan Islam (19), a local college student, stated, “This bridge is crucial for us, but it’s in such a condition that a major accident could happen anytime. We demand the immediate construction of a new bridge.”
Mohammad Mamtajul Islam, principal of Balrampur Dakhil Madrasa, remarked, “Many of our madrasa students use this broken bridge daily. It becomes especially dangerous during the rainy season. We live in constant fear of an accident. Parents are also worried. If the bridge is repaired or rebuilt soon, students will be able to travel to madrasas, schools, and colleges safely.”
Nijpara Union Parishad Chairman Anisur Rahman Anis said, “I have raised the issue of the bridge multiple times in upazila administration and law-and-order meetings, warning that a major accident could occur anytime. I will formally notify the upazila administration and LGED engineer in writing. I stand with the people and urge them to remain cautious to avoid safety risks.”
Birganj Upazila Engineer Jibril Ahmed stated, “No written complaints about the bridge in Balrampur Mondalpara over the Dhepa River have reached our office yet. From what I understand, this bridge is not under LGED’s jurisdiction and was likely constructed locally in 2012, possibly under the initiative of the then-chairman. Therefore, we have no direct authority to intervene. However, if the local administration requests or directs us to provide engineering assistance, we are ready to help.”
Locals demand that if the bridge is not repaired or rebuilt promptly, a major tragedy involving loss of life could occur at any moment.
