People suffer as Bailey bridge collapses in Faridpur

FARIDPUR, Mar 20: The lone Bailey bridge over the Kumar River between Jungurdi bus stand and Nagarkanda Sadar in Faridpur's Nagarkanda Upazila has collapsed. The accident took place around 7 am on Saturday.
Due to the collapse of the Bailey bridge, bus services on the Faridpur-Nagarkanda-Muksudpur regional route have been suspended. In case of emergency, the victims are using alternative routes by turning around a few kilometres more in small vehicles.
The Bailey bridge was built about two and a half decades ago in the 80's.

According to eyewitnesses, the 10-wheeler truck carrying sand from Dhawapara climbed the Bailey bridge on way to Jungurdi. The Bailey bridge, along with the truck, collapsed before reaching the other end.
Borhanuddin Anis, president of the Nagarkanda Press Club, said the Bailey bridge, built in the late 80s with a capacity of bearing five tonnes, had long since become dilapidated. Locals were demanding the construction of a new bridge there.
He said the Roads and Communications Department in Faridpur had recently repaired some slippers on the Bailey bridge and hung a notice allowing to carry 7 tonnes instead of 5 tonnes.
Nagarkanda Upazila Nirbahi Officer Jeti Pru said the matter was reported to the Faridpur Roads Department and asked to immediately take steps to construct an alternative road.
At present, local pedestrians are crossing the river by boat to travel to Nagarkanda for various needs. However, emergency vehicles including ambulances are using alternative routes after turning around a few kilometers more. If the communication system is not re-established in a short time, the people will suffer a lot.
Abul Hossain, a sub-divisional engineer of the Faridpur Roads Department, said the 10-wheeler sand-laden truck which weighed about 30 to 35 tonnes collapsed along with the bridge as it could not carry the extra load. We are trying to find alternative ways to maintain road communication.
Nagarkanda Police Station OC Selim Reza said the truck involved in the accident had 10 wheels. The truck carrying sand from Dhawapara weighed several times more than the prescribed weight. We could not apprehend the driver of the truck. Also the owner was not found, he said
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