Three years on, broken bridge continues to threaten lives in Rangpur

Nearly 20,000 residents of several villages in Badarganj upazila of Rangpur have been relying on a makeshift bamboo bridge for almost three years since the original bridge collapsed during the 2022 floods.
Locals said the damaged Dhodhararpar-Bindiradhar bridge, located between Dakshinpara and Kachipara areas of Radhanagar union, has not been repaired or rebuilt for years, leaving local people dependent on a fragile bamboo-and-wood structure.
During a recent visit to Kachipara, the Daily Sun correspondent found that one section of the original bridge had collapsed completely. Locals had built a temporary bridge over the damaged portion using bamboo and tree trunks.
Many of the bamboo girders have already deteriorated, while the wooden supports underneath have become unstable. The structure shakes as people cross it, forcing some pedestrians to avoid it altogether and use the area underneath.
The collapse has also disrupted the movement of heavy and freight vehicles. Ambulances and other vehicles cannot directly reach villages on the other side, causing serious problems for patients. Residents have to travel an additional four to five kilometres to reach the Badarganj Upazila Health Complex.
Locals said residents of Kachipara, Dilalpur, Bindiradhar and Dakshinpara, among other villages, depend on the bridge for communication. After its collapse, they have had to take an alternative route of around five kilometres to travel to Badarganj, Taraganj, Saidpur and other areas.
Residents initially built a bamboo bridge after the 2022 floods, but it became damaged after about two years. During the 2024 national election campaign, they again sought assistance from candidates for a permanent bridge.
Nurul Islam, 38, and Omar Faruk, 52, of Kachipara said the current MP had visited the site before the election and assured locals that the bridge would be constructed soon. “But there has been no progress yet,” they said.
Anisul Haque, 45, of Bindiradhar Dakshinpara, said the bridge was the only communication route for people of five villages. “The bridge built by locals with bamboo and tree trunks is also deteriorating. We urgently need a permanent bridge,” he said.
Local residents Rafiqul Islam, Sumon Mia and Azahar said farmers were suffering the most as they could not transport their produce easily to markets.
“Every time there is an election, candidates make promises, but the bridge is never built. Farmers are deprived, while schoolchildren face difficulties, especially during the rainy season,” they said.
Badarganj Upazila Engineer Harun Ur Rashid said a proposal had been sent to the higher authorities for construction of a new bridge at the site. “If the proposal is approved, necessary steps will be taken immediately,” he said.
Locals have urged the authorities to approve the proposal and construct the bridge as soon as possible to end their long-standing communication problems.