The newly inaugurated Mawlana Bhasani Bridge over the Teesta River has plunged into darkness just one day after its official opening, as power cables were stolen from its lamp posts, raising major safety concerns for pedestrians and commuters.
The theft, discovered on Friday afternoon, has left the entire bridge without lighting, increasing the risk of accidents. Ujjal Chowdhury, Executive Engineer of the Gaibandha office of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), confirmed the incident, saying that efforts were underway to restore the power supply and bring those responsible to justice.
“We became aware of the theft late last night,” Chowdhury said. “After the inauguration, miscreants cut and stole the wires from the lamp posts. We are working to restore the lighting and are taking steps to identify and take legal action against the culprits.”
The theft quickly gained attention on social media, with images of the severed cables going viral. Local residents and commuters have expressed their concerns, with many calling for the immediate restoration of lighting and better security to prevent future incidents.
Sundarganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdul Hakim Azad confirmed that the police would conduct a thorough investigation once a formal complaint was received. “Strict legal action will be taken against those responsible,” Azad said. “Police presence on the bridge has already been increased, and we are planning to set up a temporary police outpost, with a proposal for a permanent one already in the works.”
The Mawlana Bhasani Bridge, a key connection between Haripur in Sundarganj and Chilmari in Kurigram, was inaugurated on August 20 by Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, Adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives. The bridge, which has attracted thousands of visitors since its opening, was expected to be a major infrastructural asset for the region.