Delduar, July 17 (V7N) — A decades-old, dangerously deteriorated bridge in Jahankhali canal area of Dubail Union under Tangail’s Delduar upazila has turned into a life-threatening passage for nearly 100,000 residents from 12 surrounding villages. The narrow concrete bridge, constructed approximately 40 years ago, has developed four large holes, creating an urgent risk of fatal accidents.
 
The bridge, located on the Delduar–Armoshta road, spans the Jahankhali canal adjacent to the Louhajang River. It serves as the only critical road link for residents of villages such as Charpara, Tukchanpur, Meregna, Phultara, Abadpur, Elachipur, Jangulia, Bathuli, Moshta, Armoshta, and Kamanna.
 
Due to multiple gaping holes in the deck, villagers have resorted to plugging them with tree branches to alert passersby. Still, frequent accidents continue to occur, especially at night when visibility is low. The bridge is used daily by schoolchildren, pedestrians, and various small vehicles including battery-run auto-rickshaws, motorbikes, vans, horse carts, and mini trucks—many of which transport agricultural goods.
 
Local driver Anil from Kamanna village, who has been operating his battery-powered rickshaw over the bridge for seven years, shared his concern:
“This bridge is vital for our rural economy. It connects us to the district and upazila centers. But since large holes formed in the middle, we have to cross it with extreme caution.”
 
Residents like Shahidur Rahman Khan, Mofiz Mia, Alef Uddin Khan, and Humayun Khan echoed similar worries. They said the bridge’s concrete structure has long decayed, exposing rusted steel rods. While villagers once tried to repaint it for a renewed appearance, the structural weakness remained unaddressed.
“Mini trucks have flipped, auto-rickshaws often get stuck, and pedestrians fall into the holes. This is a death trap, not a bridge,” a resident remarked.
 
In recent weeks, small-scale accidents have occurred frequently. Villagers report that they now fear for their lives every time they cross. In a symbolic act of protest and community safety, branches and sticks have been placed in the holes as makeshift warnings.
 
Responding to the concerns, Delduar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sabbir Ahmed stated:
“We’ve received formal applications from both local residents and a youth association requesting either immediate repairs or a new bridge. Based on their appeal, a preliminary project for urgent repairs has been initiated and a budget allocation is under process. Instructions have also been given to the Upazila Engineer to assess the feasibility of full reconstruction depending on future funding.”
 
Until the reconstruction or repair is complete, residents remain vulnerable—crossing the aging bridge every day, hoping each journey doesn’t end in tragedy.
 
END/BKC/SMA/