Bridge collapses within 3 months of construction

A 40-foot long bridge in Kurigram, constructed at a cost of around Tk 31 lakh, has collapsed in only three months, causing extreme suffering to commuters.

 The bridge, constructed over Abashongami canal at Purba Dhoniram of Kurigram’s Phulbari upazila by the Disaster and Relief Department under its “15 metre wide and breadth bridge/culvert construction” project,  collapsed on August 11.

ATM Dilder Hossain Titu, a contractor of Kurigram old station, built the bridge at a cost of Tk 30.77 lakh.

Local people alleged that the bridge collapsed due to low quality materials and other irregularities.

Visiting the spot, reporters found that the bridge collapsed as the walls flanking the bridge moved away from the main structure, causing it to subside.

 "The thin rod became visible from the collapsed portion, making it impossible for vehicles to move through the bridge. Besides, soil was not applied on both sides of the link road,"alleged locals.

Many local residents raised questions as to how the bridge, built on a canal with no current, tilted and collapsed.

"The government money was spent to build the bridge in a densely-populated area but to serve the interest of whom," they said.

 Meanwhile, local UP Member Abdul Hamid said “The bridge was not constructed as per the estimate which caused it to collapse."

"The damage was caused due to removal of soil from under the bridge after the recent flooding," said Upazila Project Implementation Officer (PIO) Sabuj Kumar Gupta.

 

Bridge collapses within 3 months of construction

A 40-foot long bridge in Kurigram, constructed at a cost of around Tk 31 lakh, has collapsed in only three months, causing extreme suffering to commuters. The bridge, constructed over Abashongami canal at Purba Dhoniram of Kurigrams Phulbari upazila by the Disaster and Relief Department under its 15 metre wide and breadth bridge/culvert construction project, collapsed on August 11. ATM Dilder Hossain Titu, a contractor of Kurigram old station, built the bridge at a cost of Tk 30.77 lakh. Local people alleged that the bridge collapsed due to low quality materials and other irregularities. Visiting the spot, reporters found that the bridge collapsed as the walls flanking the bridge moved away from the main structure, causing it to subside. The thin rod became visible from the collapsed portion, making it impossible for vehicles to move through the bridge. Besides, soil was not applied on both sides of the link road,alleged locals. Many local residents raised questions as to how the bridge, built on a canal with no current, tilted and collapsed. The government money was spent to build the bridge in a densely-populated area but to serve the interest of whom, they said. Meanwhile, local UP Member Abdul Hamid said The bridge was not constructed as per the estimate which caused it to collapse. The damage was caused due to removal of soil from under the bridge after the recent flooding, said Upazila Project Implementation Officer (PIO) Sabuj Kumar Gupta.