BHURUNGAMARI, KURIGRAM, July 1: Traffic on the ageing Sonahat Bridge in Bhurungamari Upazila came to a standstill on Wednesday morning after part of its steel deck collapsed, leaving a sand-laden tractor stranded.
The incident forced authorities to suspend the movement of heavy vehicles, triggering long queues on both sides of the bridge.
The bridge, which serves traffic to and from Sonahat Land Port, has long exceeded its service life but continues to carry heavy vehicles due to delays in the construction of a replacement bridge.
According to local sources, the steel deck gave way while the tractor was crossing the bridge. Several sections of the bridge have already deteriorated, with corroded steel plates and damaged decking disrupting traffic repeatedly despite periodic repairs by the Roads and Highways Department.
Construction of a new 645-metre bridge over the Dudhkumar River, adjacent to the existing structure, began under a Tk 136-crore project. Although the project was scheduled for completion within two years, it remains unfinished after eight years.
As a result, stone-laden trucks and other heavy vehicles continue to use the old bridge, increasing the risk of accidents.
Abu Hena Masum, an importer-exporter at Sonahat Land Port, said traffic was frequently disrupted because of the bridge's poor condition.
"If it is not repaired immediately, import and export activities through the land port may be affected," he said.
Bhurungamari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Amrita Dev Nath said the Roads and Highways Department had been informed to repair the bridge without delay.
He added that legal action would be taken against vehicles carrying overloaded cargo.
