Barguna, Sept. 06 (V7N) — A dilapidated iron bridge over the Bogirdona canal in Taltali upazila of Barguna has collapsed, disrupting direct communication between Talukdar Para and Boraitali areas and leaving thousands of residents facing severe hardship.
The collapse has also disrupted the education of local students, who are now being forced to cross the canal by small boats because there is no alternative route. Local residents have called for the immediate construction of a new bridge.
The bridge was built nearly two decades ago under the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) to connect Talukdar Para in Barabagi Union with Boraitali in Nishanbaria Union across the Bogirdona canal.
According to local residents, the bridge had remained in a dilapidated and risky condition for a long time due to a lack of proper maintenance and repairs. It has recently collapsed completely, disrupting normal movement for thousands of people from Mouri, Pawa Para, Talukdar Para, Boraitali and surrounding areas.
More than 200 students of Talukdar Para Secondary and Primary Schools, along with other pedestrians, have been particularly affected by the collapse.
With no alternative road available, students and local residents are now compelled to cross the canal in small boats, putting their safety at risk. The situation has seriously disrupted the students’ regular attendance and studies.
Local residents Abu Saleh and Zakir Hossain, along with students Rakibul Islam and Amena Akter, said the bridge had been in a dangerous condition for a long time and that repeated requests for repairs had not been addressed.
They said the collapse had effectively cut off their regular route and that they were now forced to use small boats to cross the canal.
“We are afraid to send our children to school alone. The boat could capsize at any time and cause a serious accident,” they said.
Md Abu Taher, headteacher of Talukdar Para Secondary School, said the collapse had made it difficult for students to reach school on time.
“Students have to cross the canal every day by small boats at considerable risk. As a result, attendance is declining and their regular studies are being seriously disrupted. A permanent bridge needs to be constructed here as soon as possible,” he said.
Taltali Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Atish Sarkar said the upazila engineering department had been instructed to take the necessary steps to remove the collapsed bridge and construct a new one.
He said preparations were also underway to build a temporary wooden footbridge as an emergency measure to reduce the suffering of students and local residents.
“The estimate for constructing a temporary wooden bridge is currently being prepared. Visible work to ensure an alternative crossing facility will begin as soon as possible,” the UNO said.
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