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The century-old railway bridge over the Teesta River has turned vulnerable as its life expectancy expired more than two decades ago.
Consequently, several hundred people have to cross the bridge daily, risking their lives.
Four intercity trains including Rangpur Express, Kurigram Express, Lalmoni Express and Korotoa Express and seven mail trains make up and down journeys on the bridge every day.
The railway bridge has a huge importance for communication of the residents of Kurigram and Lalmonirhat as it is known as the gateway to the people of two districts.
It is learnt, the 2100-foot-long railway bridge was constructed during the British regime in 1899 with an expected lifespan of 100 years, which has already expired.
Basically, the bridge was constructed only for rail communication.
During the Liberation War in 1971, the Pakistani military damaged one guarder at southern part of the bridge by bombing to snap communication while they were fleeing from Lalmonirhat.
After independence, the broken guarder was reconstructed and made fit for communication again.
In 1978, the bridge was opened for vehicular movement by replacing wooden slippers on it. Every day several hundred vehicles including stone-laden heavy trucks use the bridge.
As a result, the bridge has become unfit for normal vehicular movement.
Locals alleged that the bridge was largely damaged due to stone carrying by trucks.
As there is no alternative road, a large number of heavy trucks have to cross the old bridge every day.
In 2019, the railway minister visited the bridge and said an alternative duel gage bridge will be constructed in addition to the old one for future connectivity with Shiliguri.
But no steps have been taken so far in this regard.
When contacted, Abdus Salam, divisional railway manager (DRM) of Lalmonirhat railway division, said, "Though the lifetime of the bridge expired, it is not risky for train movement. We always repair it and keep it fit for easy movement."
He also said plan and design of a dual gauge railway bridge have been submitted to the higher authorities. Once the fund is available, the construction work will be started.
The new bridge's design will be very different and ultramodern considering the future connectivity of tri-nation business.
The bridge will be constructed besides the old one and another railway dual gauge bridge will be constructed in future, he added.