Khagrachari: The risky bailey bridges built in the 1990s for a six-month emergency period in Khagrachari are almost collapsing, causing suffering for tourists traveling to Sajek, a popular tourist spot in the district.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, there are eight risky bailey bridges on Dighinala-Sajek Road, Dighinala-Longdu Road, Dighinala-Sajek, and Panchhari Road. It is becoming urgent to build concrete bridges to secure the movement of passengers and goods through buses and trucks, as stated by General Secretary of Khagrachari Road Transport Owners Association, Rokon Uddin.
Although vehicles weighing more than five tons are prohibited from using these bridges to avoid risks, this rule is not being followed. Accidents frequently occur on these bridges, prompting locals to demand the construction of concrete girder bridges instead of bailey bridges to prevent accidents.
According to the Khagrachari Road and Highways Department, the Boalkhali Bailey Bridge was built in 1990 over the Maini River of Dighinala on the Khagrachari-Sajek road. This bridge has repeatedly collapsed due to overweight trucks carrying timber, causing suffering to the residents of Baghaichhari Upazila, including tourists traveling to Sajek.
The same issue has occurred with the bailey bridges in the Chaumuni area of the Dighinala-Longadu road. Recently, the bridge collapsed due to an overweight timber-carrying truck, blocking road communication between Longadu and Baghaichhari Upazilas and the rest of the country.
Superintendent Engineer of Roads and Highway Department, Rangamati Circle, Mofazzal Haider, stated that a project has already been initiated to construct permanent bridges instead of bailey bridges.