People suffer in dists as dilapidated roads, bridges go unattended

OUR CORRESPONDENTS
The approach to a bridge on the Sylhet-Sunamganj regional highway in the Sadarur area of Shantiganj upazila has collapsed, just a few weeks after its repair.
Meanwhile, people have been suffering much for many years as two roads and a bridge in Shahrasti, Matlab and Chandpur Sadar are in deplorable state for lack of proper maintenance.
Our Sylhet Correspondent reports, a number of locals alleged that the approach to the bridge on the river Nainda in the Sadarur area of Shantiganj upazila had been repaired days ago but collapsed recently.
They apprehended further collapse if it is not repaired immediately. Transports of various modes and pedestrians were still using the bridge amid risks.
Red flag had been hung on the site to alert the vehicles of imminent danger. Repeated breakdown of the same bridge's approach raised questions over the quality of work, completed just months ago.
Shantiganj upazila Parishad Chairman Faruque Ahmed said the authority concerned should immediately repair the approaches properly to mitigate the sufferings of the local people.
An official at the Roads & Highways Department said steps had been taken to repair the bridge's approaches.
Our Correspondent from Chandpur says, thousands of people have been suffering much for years due to the dilapidated condition of the roads in Matlab Uttar, Faridganj and a worn-out concrete bridge at busy and bustling Narayanpur Bazar in Matlab Dakhshin upazilas in the district.
The important bridge over the Dora Khal that flows through the bustling rural commercial hub- Narayanpur-Bazar under Matlab Dakhshin Upazila has been become dilapidated for long 10 to12 years. It connects the main road of the bazar.
Thousands of men, women, children, students and heavy and light vehicles use this bridge. But fearing accident, for the past few years, all modes of heavy and light vehicles stopped running on the dilapidated bridge. Nowadays, sugarcane traders and general people use this bridge on weekly haat day.
The local traders and people have alleged that due to its miserable and pitiable condition, the bridge may collapse any time causing loss to valuable lives and properties.
Mizanur Rahman, 50, a local trader, said, "The bridge needs immediate reconstruction as it has become worn out for the last 10 to12 years. Local MP Nurul Islam Ruhul has recently visited the bridge and assured the people and traders that it would be reconstructed soon".

The 2-km-long Sarderkandi village road under Farazikandi union in Matlab Uttar Upazila has been in a dilapidated condition for long two decades. Thousands of men, women, students and children of the neighbouring eight villages- use this road everyday to go to Matlab Uttar upazila sadar.
They say for want of proper maintenance, this road has turned too much deplorable. Small and medium potholes have developed at various portions on the road causing suffering to people.
Local Farazikandi UP Chairman Delowar Hossain Danesh and Ward Coucillor Sarder Mahbub Alam said, "The road was carpeted in 2002. Since then long two decades have elapsed but no renovation works were made so far due to various reasons and official complicacies".
The road is maintained by the Local Govt Engineering Directorate (LGED).
Upazila Engineer Saiful Islam said the road's condition is really very dilapidated. It needs immediate renovation and development for the interest of people.
He also said, "We are trying to develop and renovate the road within this fiscal."
Thousands of people of Dakhshin Badarpur and its adjacent villages under Rupsha Uttar union of Faridganj Upazila have been suffering much due to poor condition of the 1.5 kilometres kutcha road from the Badarpur Dakhshin's Patwaribari area to Gridokalindiya KG School area.
Locals said this is a very important road for thousands of inhabitants of the areas. They always use this road to go to and come back from Gridokalindia Bazar--a busy and commercial hub beside Chandpur-Faridganj-Luxmipur Regional Highway.
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