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Northbound traffic jams, hotspot 'Nalka Bridge'

  • Whole Bangla
  • Lead News
  • 08 October, 2021 12:02:31

Photo: CNI

News Desk: Bangabandhu Bridge on the Western Link Highway, the vehicles seem to be moving at a snail's pace. Fear also arises in the mind of the passer-by from these vehicles which have come and gone, when they get into an accident. The misery of the risky and dilapidated ‘Nalka Bridge’ area of ​​the highway seems to be a constant companion of the passengers on this route. Even then, thousands of transports in at least 23 districts in the north-west are operating with risk and panic.

Due to the risk of the tube bridge, on the one hand, the traffic has to be controlled and on the other hand, the junctions above the bridge and the road have been repaired frequently, but no significant success has been seen. As a result, it is not possible for fast vehicles to cross the bridge even if they want to. It can be seen on the ground that several huge holes have been created on the west side of the risky tube bridge. Carpeting has risen on the upper part of the bridge. The joints have become shaky. The speed of the vehicle has to be reduced from a distance of 50 meters of the bridge. That is why hundreds of vehicles are always stuck on both sides of the bridge. After a while, traffic jams are being created on both sides. And the highway police is sweating to reduce the traffic jam. Although such a situation has been going on for the last two weeks, the Roads and Highways Department has not taken any action. Shahidul Islam, a bus driver of Hanif Enterprise from Bogra, said the vehicles were in dire straits as the bridge and road were not repaired. Due to the bad condition of this little part of the road, traffic jams are created in an area of ​​about 20/25 km. We also have to wait for hours to go from Bogra to Dhaka. It is as if traffic jam has become a daily occurrence. Bus driver Qayyum Hossain, Haider Ali, Super Vicer Rafiqul Islam, Shahed Ali, Akram Hossain, truck helper Abdul Jalil and many others complained that the panic started when they came to Sirajganj Road (Hatikumrul Roundabout) area. I just wonder how long it will take to cross this part. It is not possible to get rid of traffic jam even after sitting for hours.

Speaking to multiple transport workers, passengers and locals, it is learned that the Nalka bridge is an embarrassment for commuters in the north. You have to drive at a maximum speed of 10 km on this bridge. This caused traffic jam. Sometimes the traffic congestion intensifies and spreads over a large section of Hatikumrul-Bogra, Hatikumrul-Pabna and Hatikumrul-Bonpara highways. According to the Roads and Highways Department office and local sources, the canal bridge was built in 1986 on the Sirajganj-Bogra regional road over the Phuljor river. Although the regional road was turned into a highway in 1997, no changes or additions have been made to the bridge. Since the inauguration of the Bangabandhu Bridge in 1996, vehicles have been plying on the bridge in 23 districts of the north-western region. As a result, the bridge is in a dilapidated condition. Hatikumrul Highway Police Traffic Inspector Rafiqul Islam said the condition of the Nalka bridge was very bad. Large holes have been created on both sides of the bridge. There are also ditches on the bridge. Once here, the speed of the car has to be reduced to 5/6 km. This is often the cause of traffic jams.

Sirajganj Traffic Police Inspector Salekuzzaman Salek said the area around the Nalka Bridge has been suffering for more than two weeks. On the west side of the bridge, many huge holes have been created. They informed the road department but they did not take any action. Highway Police (Bogra Region) Superintendent of Police Munshi Shahabuddin said vehicles had to leave a lane as the bridge was at risk. And the cars are slowing down because of the bad roads next to the bridge. This is causing traffic jams from time to time. There is no end to the suffering if a car tilts over him because of those holes. There was a huge traffic jam on both sides when the vehicle was picked up by the wrecker. Due to this situation, the police are working there 24 hours a day. He demanded speedy repair of the bridge and the road next to the bridge. Didarul Alam Tarafdar, executive engineer of the Sirajganj Roads and Highways (RHD) department, said several holes had been created in the western part of the bridge.

These have to be picked up and carpeted. Due to the rain, it is not possible to do the work now. As soon as the rainy season ends, carpeting will be done quickly. Once the carpet is finished, the traffic will be reduced.

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