<i>Tale of six 'temporary' bridges built long ago</i>

All those bailey bridges now 'death traps'

3 May 2009, 18:00 PM

Our Correspondent, Gaibandha

RISKY DRIVE: These two awfully dilapidated bailey bridges, one at Sakoa of Gaibandha-Palashbari road, left, and the other at Badiakhali Bazar of Gaibandha-Fulchhari road, are among at least six such structures in Gaibandha. The bridges, set as temporary substitute for the concrete ones several years ago, still await replacement.Photo: STAR

Thousands of vehicles cross six ramshackle bailey bridges of different important roads in Gaibandha district amid risk while construction of concrete bridges remains a far cry. In 1985, onrush of floodwater destroyed the concrete bridge of Gaibandha-Palashbari highway at Shakoa across the River Naleya and the authorities with the help of army personnel set up a temporary bailey bridge on an emergency basis. Due to over-use and lack of timely repair during the last 24 years, the bailey bridge is now in a dilapidated condition and vehicles cross it amid high risk. Despite commitment by different governments, the concrete bridge is yet to be reconstructed for some unknown reasons. Security is also a problem at the spot as gangs attack night coaches and trucks creating barricade on road there. After collapse of a concrete bridge across the River Karotoa at Khulshi on Bogra-Dinajpur highway during the flood in 2004, authorities set up a 50-metre diversion bailey bridge to restore communication. Roads and Highways Department (RHD) started construction of a concrete bridge there, but the work got stalled after completion of only 20 percent 'due to fund constraint'. Under heavy traffic rush, the diversion bailey bridge collapsed twice last year. A concrete bridge of Gaibandha-Fulchhari road across the River Alai collapsed due to onrush of floodwater in 2006. Authorities built a 42-metre bailey bridge to restore communication, which is yet to be replaced with a concrete one. Three other bailey bridges on Gaibandha-Fulchhari and Palashbari-Ghoraghat roads and over a marshy land at Badiakhali have also worn out due to heavy pressure of traffic. Asked about the situation, an RHD executive engineer said they have forwarded proposals to the higher authorities for replacing bailey bridges with concrete structures, but the work could not be started due to 'lack of fund'.