Editorial
A stitch in time saves nine
Delay in repairing bridges
In the first place the conditions of the two strategic bridges over the Meghna and Gumti should not have been allowed to come to such a pass at all. It is simply unacceptable that these two bridges would be in such a state of disrepair that would involve major repair work with the potential of disrupting the direct link between Chittagong and Dhaka for quite sometime.
We wonder why, in spite of the fact that the bridges on major highways in the country, are, or, should be under constant supervision; the condition of the deck of these two has rendered them unfit for use. One would have expected the R&H department to have applied rapid repair facilities to mend any fault on the deck as soon as those had appeared. What is also inexplicable is that scouring around the main piers has not been attended to either, thereby putting both the structures at serious risk. And to allow these two bridges to be used, in spite of the risks involved, speaks of utter disregard for public safety.
The plight that the two bridges has put everybody in, apart from the grave threat to life these pose, has brought out very starkly the lack of foresight in the planning of our communication infrastructure. Most of the roads, and the bridges that span the gaps, become outdated no sooner they are built. Most of these bridges allow for only one way traffic and on any mishap, and there have been several in the past, there occurs long tailbacks stretching over kilometres and lasting for many hours. The width of the roads too soon becomes inadequate to absorb the increased volume of traffic.
Waiting for October, as indicated by the authorities, for the repair work to begin on the two bridges, is much too long a wait. Why must the process for awarding contract take two months? Given the urgency of the matter, cannot the process be speeded up without cutting corners? We would suggest also that in the meanwhile alternative crossing arrangements be made immediately on both the sites and repair work begun immediately, particularly the river bed scouring.
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