RAJSHAHI, July 3: Arani Railway Bridge in Bagha Upazila of the district has turned risky for lack of renovation for long. The bridge was built during the British period.
For want of iron clippers, wood and bamboo pieces have been used in the bridge to make it strong.
Around 13 trains cross this bridge twice a day amid risk of accident.
While visiting the bridge recently, it was found that there should be eight pins on both sides of a slipper to join it with the rail line, but there are less than eight pins. At some places there is no pin at all.
The condition of the fish plates and slippers is not explainable.
There are 262 slippers in the bridge where 2,098 iron clips should be present, but only 928 clips were found. Wood was used at some parts and rest of the part is empty.
Of those, 60 slippers are in great danger. From the east side of the bridge, stones have been used under the 3rd pillar. The stones have gone far from the pillar, and now there is no stone or soil under the pillar. As a result, the north side of the pillar has become void.
A fisherman Abdul Khalek of Hamidkura Village said, "I regularly net fish in the area. When a train goes over the bridge, it vibrates repeatedly."
Permanent Way Inspector (PWI) Chief Yakub Ali said, "I have to look after six-kilometre rail line. I have informed all the problems to the authority."
While asked about the use of wood and bamboo, Bhabesh Chandra Rajbongshi of the PWI said, "As pin is not available, so wood and bamboo have been used to keep the slippers stable. Already 100 pins have been allocated and those are being installed. For 60 slippers, a demand latter has been submitted to the authority. When those will arrive, we will fix the problem."
Mayor of Arani Municipality Mukter Ali said the bridge was repaired once. Now, the tools have become useless.
Chief Engineer of Western Railway Afzal Hossain said, "Though the railway bridges of this area are very old, these are still good. No accident has occurred till now. Wood and bamboo have been used so that the clips don't move when the train moves. It has been used just for extra safety."
