Every day, hundreds of residents from 35 villages in Jamalganj upazila of Sunamganj risk their lives to cross the dilapidated Teranagar Bridge over the Doulata River, a structure declared ‘risky and abandoned’ over a decade ago.
Despite its deteriorating condition, the bridge remains a vital lifeline for the locals who have no alternative route. Auto-rickshaws, CNG-run vehicles, motorcycles and trolleys continue to ply the unsafe structure daily, defying warnings and risking disaster.
Locals say the bridge, built between 2002 and 2004, had structural flaws from the outset. Though initially intended for lighter use – limited to bicycles and motorcycles – the bridge now bears the load of modern vehicular traffic, a reality it was never designed to support.
The 95-metres long Teranagar Bridge in Bhimkhali union was one of four bridges built under a rural infrastructure project initiated by late MP Nazir Hossain in 2002. It served as the primary connection to Fenerbak Union, especially during the autumn when low-lying paths become impassable.
In the years since, development has brought paved roads linking Jamalganj to Laxmipur Bazar and Nabin Chandra High School in Phenerbak Union. With this progress, the volume of traffic has surged, including light trucks and other small vehicles, further straining the ageing bridge.
Today, the bridge serves as the key access point to one high school, two village markets, one madrasa, and more than 50 primary schools.
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Villages relying on the structure for communication include Matargaon, Rajapur, Rasulpur, Lalpur, Daulatpur, Ujan Daulatpur, Rajabaj, Khojargaon, Binajura, Teghoria, Gangadharpur, Chhoyhara, Kamargaon, Inatnagar, Bijoynagar, Kashipur, Udaypur, Laxmipur, Bhedarpur, Fenerbak, Chatnipara, Nazimnagar, Hatamara, Udaypur and several areas under Dirai upazila.
Yet the bridge shakes under the weight of crossing vehicles.
Cracks and holes have formed, while makeshift repairs using bricks and sand offer only fragile support. Limited annual allocations from union and upazila budgets have proven inadequate, as potholes and broken railings reappear soon after each repair.
Although the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) declared the bridge abandoned in 2014, no replacement has been built. During a recent visit, this correspondent observed gaping holes, crumbling surfaces, and dangerously loose railings. Still, traffic continued unabated.
“It shakes when a vehicle goes over it. Vehicles frequently get damaged due to the potholes. The broken railing adds to the risk, and the narrow width means only one vehicle can cross at a time,” said Nasir, an auto-rickshaw driver.
Anjan Purkayastha, a local resident and senior journalist, said three people have died and over 200 others have been injured in accidents on the bridge. “Around 50 goats, sheep and cattle have also died,” he said.
Verbal commitments have been made over the years by ministers and local MPs, but no tangible progress has followed. For the villagers, promises have become a recurring disappointment.
Sujit Chandra Sarker, Headmaster of Nabin Chandra High School, voiced his concern: “The teachers and students of the school cross this hazardous bridge daily. If a major accident occurs, who will take responsibility?” He urged the authorities to construct a new bridge without delay.
Bhimkhali Union Parishad Chairman Md Akhtaruzzaman Talukder echoed this urgency, saying, “Even after being declared abandoned in 2014, hundreds of vehicles still use it every day. A serious accident could happen at any time.”
Md Sanowar Hossain, the Upazila Engineer, explained, “This bridge was originally built only for pedestrian use, as there were no motor roads in the area at the time. Now, with daily vehicular traffic, it has become extremely unsafe.”
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He said a proposal has been submitted under the ‘Hemlit project’ for the upcoming fiscal year to construct a new bridge over the Doulata River. “We hope funding will be approved and this vital bridge can be rebuilt for the safety of the local population.” .
For now, the people of Jamalganj continue to rely on this crumbling structure, a bridge that once symbolised progress but now stands as a daily gamble with danger.