A 40-metre bridge built six years ago at a cost of Tk7.96 crore by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) has collapsed into the Padma River following severe riverbank erosion in Faridpur.
The incident occurred around 7:30am on Saturday at Kabirpur village of North Channel union of Faridpur Sadar upazila.
According to locals, the bridge was located in Kabirpur under ward no 4 of North Channel union.
It served at least 2,000 people from Azmat Ali Mondoler Dangi, Montaz Madborer Dangi and Adarsha Gram in Faridpur’s North Channel union, as well as Selimpur, Joypur, Natun Hat, Gangabardi, Harihardia, Patgram and Natakhola villages in Leshraganj union under Harirampur upazila of Manikganj.
The main channel of the Padma River flows along the eastern side of the bridge in Manikganj, while another branch runs through Faridpur to the west. The bridge was constructed on a river island between the two channels.
Built under an LGED project in the 2019-20 financial year, the bridge measured 40 metres in length and 12 feet in width.
North Channel Union Parishad Ward 4 Member Mostafa Hossain said erosion began in the area two months ago but intensified over the past 15 days.
“Over the past four days, the road approaching the eastern side of the bridge began disappearing into the river. Around 7:30am on Saturday, the eastern section of the bridge collapsed,” he said.
Mostafa said riverbank erosion over the past two months had destroyed the homes of 50 families in Adarsha Gram and another 200 families elsewhere in the area, bringing the total to 250 households.
At least 825 acres of agricultural land have also been lost to the river, he added.
Former North Channel Union Parishad Chairman Mostakuzzaman said the bridge had sunk into the river after erosion washed away the soil beneath the piling on its eastern side.
He said the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) had placed sandbags in the area to protect the structure, but the effort failed.
Faridpur Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Meshkatul Jannat Rabeya said officials, including the deputy commissioner and BWDB executive engineer, had visited the erosion-affected area several times since the problem emerged in Kabirpur.
“Sandbags were placed along a 150-metre stretch to protect the bridge, but erosion extended across at least 1.5 kilometres. As a result, the bridge could not be saved,” she said.
She added that stronger protective measures could not be undertaken during the monsoon.
Faridpur LGED Executive Engineer Mohammad Azharul Islam said the area had not experienced erosion of this magnitude in the past 35 years.
“Local residents say the river is gradually returning to its former course through continued erosion,” he said.
Faridpur BWDB Executive Engineer Rakib Hossain said the bridge had been built by LGED in the middle of a river island, with two branches of the Padma flowing on either side.
“Erosion is occurring along both channels. The river has advanced at least 500 metres inland, while erosion continues across a 1.3-kilometre stretch,” he said.
Rakib said it was not possible to take effective measures to stop the erosion under the current conditions.
“Once the water level recedes, a team of experts will be brought in, and further action will be taken based on their recommendations,” he added.
