Dilapidated iron bridge sparks safety concerns in Sunamganj

Thousands of people in Sunamganj’s Tahirpur upazila are risking their lives to cross a shaky iron bridge over the Matikata Kuri Canal, where makeshift bamboo supports have failed to ease fears of a possible collapse.
The bridge, located on the Lila Bazar-Matikata route in Dakshin Baradal union, has developed structural damage due to a lack of maintenance. Some of its foundations have deteriorated, while parts of the railings are missing. Three sections of the bridge's supporting structure have also collapsed.
Locals have attempted to reinforce the weakest sections with bamboo, but the bridge still shakes and sways when pedestrians and motorcyclists cross it. Locals alleged that accidents occur frequently, often villagers from around 10 villages, including students and traders, have reportedly been injured in separate incidents involving the bridge.
Thousands of people use the bridge daily as there is no alternative crossing. It serves residents of several villages in Badaghat and Dakshin Baradal unions, as well as traders, workers, students and visitors travelling to Barachhara Customs Station and the local tourism office.
More than 1,000 teachers and students of Matikata Rahmania Hafizia Madrasah, Pratibha Kindergarten School, Matikata Primary School and Haji M Ejaher High School use the bridge for their daily commute. Worshippers also depend on it to reach a mosque, an Eidgah ground and a graveyard.
The bridge was built in 2015 after residents had long relied on bamboo planks to cross the canal. The then chairman of the union parishad constructed the iron bridge in response to local demands, providing a safer crossing for people from surrounding villages. However, its deteriorating condition has now made crossing dangerous, particularly for children, women and elderly people.
Local resident Chafur Uddin said he crossed the bridge in fear of it collapsing beneath him but had no choice because he needed to visit the market and mosque.
Another resident, Aydar Ali, said their suffering would continue unless the bridge was repaired.
Ashraf Uddin, a guardian of school-going children, said he remained worried whenever his children travelled to school. He called for urgent repairs or the construction of a new bridge to ensure public safety.
Dakshin Baradal Union Parishad Chairman Yunus Ali said he hoped the upazila administration would take prompt action, adding that he had repeatedly raised concerns about the bridge at meetings.
Upazila Engineer Zahidul Islam said temporary repairs would be carried out to ensure traffic could continue safely. He added that steps were being taken to construct a new bridge at the site.
Upazila Executive Officer Ripamoni Devi said the upazila engineer had been instructed to take the necessary measures and that efforts were underway to resolve the problem quickly.