It has been reported that potholes have been created in bridges and roads due to the free movement of soil-laden trucks at Kaliakore in Gazipur district. Various types of vehicles, including public transportations, have been running through the collapsed place of the roads and bridge risking their lives for months. An attempt was made to repair the bridge on Wednesday at the initiative of a local UP member. However, the local residents have expressed their anger due to the fear of accidents.
According to local residents and related sources, soil sellers are looting soil in various areas of Kaliakair upazila. Due to this, soil looting is also going on in the northern area of Chapair Union of the upazila. And soil sellers have been using soil carrying trucks to carry looted soil. The trucks used to transport their soil collapsed in the middle of the bridge in Kotbari area of the union. Small and large vehicles including the general public are moving at the risk of life even on the bridge of the only paved road in the area.
The people of different areas including Paikpara, Kotbari, Satkura, Bangkuri, Banglabazar, Dhuligara, Jainarbazar, Palmwell Bazar are moving with the fear of accidents. The public also complains that even though such dangerous situation has been going on for months, the concerned people have not taken any inquiry. On Wednesday morning, two workers named Rafiqul Islam and Rana Sikder were seen working to fix the collapsed bridge. The two workers said that they were working on the bridge under the instructions of local UP member Zobair Palawan. Casting will be done in the collapsed area. Locals said that this is the only road for the movement of people in the northern part of the union. It was unfit for movement as it was always wet. Last 7/8 years ago, this road was paved by the upazila LGED office in continuation of the development of the government. They complained that various parts of the road were broken due to the movement of trucks loaded with soil. A few months ago, the middle of the bridge collapsed due to the movement of soil-carrying trucks. Accidents and fatalities can happen at any time. But despite moving at risk, none of the concerned took any inquiry. Locals also complain that not only this road is under the influence of soil dykes, but also that various parts of most of the roads in the upazila have collapsed due to the movement of drum trucks full of soil.
Local UP member Zubair Palawan said that the bridge is very old. The middle of the bridge collapsed due to heavy traffic. Repair work is being done there with the permission of the local chairman.
Upazila Sub-Assistant Engineer Salim Hossain said that the damaged bridge will be repaired in coordination with us and the local public representatives. In this regard, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Tajwar Akram Sakapi Ibn Sajjad said that the damaged bridge will be repaired very quickly. Besides, the trucks will be seized and fined by conducting raids in many areas at different times. But our campaign will continue.