Laxmipur Correspondent: Communication has been suspended for five days due to the collapse of the Rahmatkhali canal bridge in Chandraganj of Laxmipur Sadar Upazila. Lakhs of people from five villages, including students of 10 educational institutions, have suffered.
The bridge collapsed due to a sudden, strong flow of water last Sunday afternoon. As a result, traffic on the Chandraganj-Charshahi road was stopped from that day. In this situation, the authorities have suspended the pre-selection examination of the local Kofil Uddin University College.
Talking to local people, it is known that about 40 years ago, the relief and rehabilitation department constructed the bridge adjacent to Chandraganj Kofil Uddin College in Laxmipur Sadar Upazila. Its length is about 60 feet and its width is 10 feet. Sheikhpur, Rajapur, Ramakrishnapur, Charshahi Union via Noakhali, Laxmipur-Chowmuhani road, and lakhs of people, including at least 10 thousand students of these areas, were constantly traveling through this bridge.
Kofil Uddin University College (Acting) Principal Priyabrat Chowdhury said, ‘Last Monday, the pre-selection examination of the eleventh class of the college was supposed to start. But due to the collapse of the bridge, class activities, including exams, have been declared closed. Students have to cross the bridge to come to the college. If a temporary bridge is not constructed at the earliest, the movement of students to and from the college will be stopped.
Kamrul Islam, Ibrahim Khalil and Salma Akhter, students of Kofil Uddin University College, said, “Our class activities including exams are closed due to the collapse of the bridge. We want the authorities to resolve it soon.”
Chandraganj Union Parishad (UP) Chairman Nurul Amin said, ‘The bridge was very shaky. The matter was informed to the concerned authorities earlier for repairs. Due to the collapse, the movement of all types of vehicles through the bridge has been completely stopped.
Talking to the people concerned with the local administration, it is known that the water in many canals in Noakhali and Lakshmipur has not completely receded yet. Water is coming down from those reservoirs through the Rahmatkhali Canal. Due to this, a strong current has been created in the canal. The bridge collapsed in that current.
Local residents Abdul, Momin Ullah, and Kulsum Begum said, “People from several unions travel through the bridge. Students of 10 educational institutions and hundreds of vehicles pass through here. All of them have suffered because the bridge was broken and traffic was stopped.
Executive Engineer of Laxmipur LGED. Ikramul Haque said, “The bridge has become unusable due to the collapse and collapse of vehicles. The bridge collapsed due to strong current in the Rahmatkhali canal. A letter has been sent to the ministry to construct a new bridge of 30 meters in length and arrange an alternative bridge at that place in consideration of public importance.
