Two bridges at the same place on Bhelamati River in Chirirbandar upazila of Dinajpur could not reduce the sufferings of the locals as dangerous cracks have been emerged on both the bridges.
The cracks in the bridges and the rupture at the junction between them posed serious risk for the people who cross the river on a regular basis.
Communications among the people of some 10 villages in the upazila have been disrupted due to the cracks. The vehicular movements have been halted. Farmers of the area said that they have been facing serious problems while transporting their products to other markets.
Moreover, the patients and their relatives can hardly go to hospitals using these bridges.
However, the locals are moving with great difficulty by placing bamboo planks on the ruptured place.
The two bridges were constructed four years ago at the same place on the Bhelamati River adjacent to Gamirahat in the upazila under the Department of Disaster Management and Relief.
Many locals complained about the bridge collapsing in just four years. Now more money is being spent on the transportation of agricultural products. Residents of Gamirahat Guccho village, Nur Mohamamd and Hamidul haque said that this is the first time that I have seen bridges being built on both side of the river, leaving a gap in the middle.
Chirirbandar Upazila Project Implementation Officer Md Monowarul Islam said that the two bridges were severely damaged during the devastating flood of 2017.
As a result, every year during the monsoon the bridge is being damaged gradually. Locals are seeking the interference of authorities concerned to facilitate the movement of locals by constructing bridges in a planned manner on this river.
