Tangail, July 12 (V7N)- The collapse of the link road to Charabari Bridge in Tangail Sadar Upazila has left over a hundred thousand people from five unions cut off from communication. The west side of the link road of the bridge over the Dhaleshwari River at Charabari Torapganj collapsed early on Wednesday morning (July 10), severing the connection. There are allegations that repeated illegal dredging is causing the link road to collapse repeatedly.
 
Local residents reported that the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) constructed a 170.642-meter-long bridge over the Dhaleshwari River at Charabarighat in 2006 to facilitate travel for the residents of Katuli, Hugra, Kakua, Mahmud Nagar, and Vardra unions of Nagarpur in the Char region of the Sadar Upazila.
 
Since its construction, illegal dredging has repeatedly caused the approach roads on both the east and west banks to collapse during the monsoon season. Although LGED, with local assistance, temporarily repaired the road with sandbags and iron plates to restore communication quickly.
 
Humayun Kabir, a CNG driver on this road, said that during both dry and monsoon seasons, illegal dredging from both sides of the bridge leads to repeated collapses, causing extreme hardship for people. He urged for swift action to address this issue.
 
Autorickshaw driver Hasmat Karim mentioned that over the past few days, small collapses had been occurring. This morning, upon bringing passengers, he found the road completely collapsed. He expressed concern that without a quick alternative, they wouldn't be able to operate their vehicles.
 
Md. Fazlur Rahman, an engineer at the Upazila Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), stated that he visited the site with the Upazila Chairman and that the road would be repaired promptly. The Water Development Board has been informed of the matter.
 
Md. Tofazzal Hossain Khan Tofa, the Chairman of Tangail Sadar Upazila Parishad, said that recent rain and strong currents caused the embankment of the bridge to collapse. Given the importance of this road, necessary measures will be taken promptly to prevent further collapse.
 
He also mentioned that there are plans to establish a permanent solution in that area. Having just taken over the responsibility of the Upazila Parishad, he emphasized that he would address the issue with importance, as this road serves as the primary communication link for the people of five unions in western Tangail.
 
Md. Sajjad Hossain, the Executive Engineer of the Water Development Board, said that engineers have been dispatched to the site. Additionally, as the road falls under LGED's jurisdiction, the matter has been communicated to their engineers. Necessary measures will be taken promptly to alleviate the inconvenience.
 
END/BKC/MOS/