The bridge over Serer Khal at Gosinga in Sreepur upazila of Gazipur has become highly risky due to lack of repair for years. Hundreds of residents from Hegra Potka and Bauni villages use the bridge every day. The structure shakes when small and large vehicles pass, forcing school and college students from the two villages to cross it at great risk.
During a spot visit on Monday (December 29), it was seen that the lower sidewalls on both ends of the bridge had collapsed, with bricks scattered underneath. Nearly five years ago after the re-excavation of Serer Khal, strong currents washed away about one-third of the soil and bricks beneath the bridge. Despite this, residents of the two villages continue to use the bridge, risking their lives.
Firoz Mia of Potka village said the bridge has been in a dangerous condition for a long time. Students cross it daily to attend educational institutions, while garment factory workers and villagers also rely on the bridge to travel to the district and upazila headquarters.
Abul Hossain, a teacher from Potka village, said several minor accidents have already occurred while crossing the bridge, leaving pedestrians injured. Guardians remain anxious about sending their children to school and have demanded immediate repairs.
Rafiqul Islam, demonstrator of Potka Dakhil Madrasa, said local farmers previously transported rice, paddy, and other produce by rickshaw-vans across the bridge. Now, with large portions of the bridge damaged, rickshaw and van movement has stopped, and even walking over the bridge has become risky.
Abdul Jabbar, a grocery shop owner at Bauni Bazar, said people from nearby villages crossed the bridge to shop and transport goods. Now, due to the bridge’s condition, vehicles avoid it and pedestrians hesitate to cross, resulting in fewer customers and financial losses for traders.
Auto-rickshaw driver Abdur Rashid said he feels the bridge might collapse every time he crosses it, but with no alternative route, he is forced to take the risk.
Drum truck driver Mofiz Uddin from Gosinga said he once turned back after seeing the bridge’s condition while heading to Bauni with a sand-laden truck, later taking a 5-kilometer longer alternative route.
Local residents said the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) constructed the bridge in 1988 to improve connectivity between Potka and Bauni villages. Built mainly with brick pillars, the bridge has weakened over time due to the lack of renovation. Heavy rainfall and strong currents have caused further erosion, leading to visible cracks beneath the structure. Locals fear a major accident could occur at any time if the bridge collapses.
Faruk Ahmed, member of Ward No. 2 of Gosinga Union Parishad, said the bridge is extremely risky. He added that the upazila engineering department has been informed and inspections have been conducted, with proposals reportedly sent to higher authorities, but construction work has yet to begin.
Sreepur Upazila Engineer Touhid Ahmed said the department is aware of the bridge’s dangerous condition. “We submitted an estimate last year, but it was not approved due to lack of funds. We submitted another estimate earlier this year, but approval is still pending. Once approved, work will begin. For now, warning signboards will be installed temporarily at both ends of the bridge,” he said.
