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4 years ago

River erosion engulfs construction materials of Padma Bridge at Munshiganj point

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Abrupt river erosion has devoured parts of construction yard of Padma Bridge project at Munshiganj point on Friday night taking some shades and more than 192 imported valuable railway girders into the river.

Bridge Secretary Mohammad Balayet Hossain confirmed it saying that all the items were kept on the riverside to take to the Padma Bridge for placing the railway track over the bridge’s spans.

He, however, said value of the devoured railway track was not much but its preparation is time consuming as girders are made ready over steel stringers which were imported from Luxemburg.

The Secretary, also Executive Director of Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA), said soon after the incident, other valuable items including ready span have been shifted.

High officials including the Principle Secretary, Water Development Board Chairman, Bridge Secretary and Project Director rushed to the spot to look into the loss themselves.

They have directed to take necessary protection measures of the construction yard.

After 2015, erosion hit the construction yard of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project (PMBP) for second time.

Sources, however, said no precaution was taken by the contractor despite alert on possible erosion at the Munshiganj site’s construction yard.

Official sources said they have been trying to recover drown railway girders as those heavy materials were not washed away.

“We are trying to recover the devoured items,” said Dewan Abdul Quader, executive engineer.

Meanwhile, ferry services on Shimulia–Kathalbari route on the river remains suspended till Saturday afternoon due to erosion and strong current.

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