Bridges including Pattar Pool, adjacent to the traditional Sindurkhan Bazar in Srimangal Upazila of Moulvibazar, are under serious threat. Every day thousands of people go to Sindurkhan Bazar, the only resort to the bridge, the passengers are terrified. It can be seen that the bridge shakes when a car, CNG, auto rickshaw or motorcycle gets on the bridge.
Especially primary school students and many elderly people get down from the vehicles and cross the bridge on foot. Locals believe that a major accident could happen due to collapse at any moment. Even though the bridge has been in such condition for a long time, there is no action taken by the concerned. The bridge is down about 1/1.5 feet. Cracks are visible in almost every pillar. Although there is a fear of accidents, the local public representatives are not worried about it, besides, illegal sand carriers are constantly moving through this bridge. Local residents are blaming the sand traders for the condition of the bridge. Looking at the canal that flows under the bridge, you can see the signs of sand lifting. However, there is no valid documentation for sand extraction. Yet a syndicate continues to extract sand in Abad.
Under the initiative of upazila administration Sreemangal, upazila executive officer Ali Rajeev Mahmud Mithun and assistant commissioner Swandeep Talukder are unable to reduce this cycle. The newly renovated Bhojpur to Sindurkhan road is also being destroyed again by illegal sand carriers. Roads and almost all bridge culverts are marked by cracks due to the free flow of sand-laden trucks.
The cement pillars on the side of the bridge are breaking or the bridge is leaning due to the bridge sinking. Mile plaques are also found broken at some places.
Local villagers and students of various schools and colleges expressed anger that several people have been fined for dishonest sand mining but they have not stopped. The Assistant Commissioner Land and Executive Magistrate seized 3500 feet of sand excavated from Langlia rift in Srigao, Kamargaon area of Sindurkhan UP through mobile court on Wednesday. At that time, no one involved in sand extraction was found at the spot.
Sreemangal Upazila Assistant Commissioner Swandeep Talukder said that such operations against illegal sand mining will continue. Wanted to do daily raids, but not able to for other work. He also said that no discount will be given to any illegal sand traders.