The approach road of Kushtia-Haripur Sheikh Russell Bridge constructed to connect Haripur side has been pushed into risk as cracks have developed across the lower east side of the road.
Many concerned are embarrassed by this sudden circumstance concerning of the bridge spending hundreds of crores of taka two years back.
The concerned was developed as road adjacent to the approach collapsed due to heavy rains several days ago. The road was cut off.
It is alleged that the damage was caused by the sand robbers carrying the sand-carrying trolley on the slope of the approach road.
The engineers of local government have admitted that the road is in risk and immediate steps should be taken to mitigate big damage.
The local people alleged that the only reason for the sudden damage on the approach is the sand-carrying trolley.
Earlier, the locals had put up objections and raised protests several times, but the sand looters did not pay heed. No one dared to say anything even though the light post, power cable and other parts of the bridge were damaged repeatedly by these careless trolleys.
The locals even complained that they had to be harassed by the police while went to talk about this.
Locals blamed Mustafizur Rahman Milon Mondol Haji Ariful Islam as mastermind of the sand-lifting. Milon Mondol is president of ruling party’s Hattash Haripur Union Awami League while Ariful is general secretary. They have engaged trolleys to lift the sand from Gorai river bed without any lease.
Sources said the sand is being lifted from safe zone of the bridge that is strictly prohibited.
However, they could not answer the question of who would be responsible for the collapse of the approach road due to the sand-carrying trolley.
The Chairman of Hattosh Haripur Union Parishad Sampa Mahmud said she was not aware of the fact.
“I will look the matter,” she said.
The office secretary of Kushtia district Awami League Tariqul Islam Manik, who had supervised the construction of the bridge as a nominated person by lawmaker of Kushtia-3 Mahbubul Alam Hanif said, “Why trolleys would on the slope of the bridge?
“All right, I heard and I will look into the matter soon,” he said.
Abu Russell, executive magistrate of Kushtia district administration, said the extraction of soil or sand in any way within the safe zone of any bridge is strictly prohibited. If anyone violates this law, legal action will be taken against him including criminal case.
He said the safe zone is calculated 1.5 meters in the upstream and 0.5 meters in the downstream of the bridge.
Piyush Krishna Kundu, executive engineer, Bangladesh Water Development Board, Kushtia, said no sand or soil could be removed from the safe zone of the bridge where sand is revert again and again.
“I don’t exactly who or what is pushing the bridge into risk. Check is necessary,” he said. know
Md. Zahidur Rahman Mondol Executive Engineer of LGED in Kushtia told that he would take stern step in this regard.
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