Shahparan bridge under threat due to illegal dredging

Dhaka Times Desk Sylhet's Shahparan Bridge is under threat. It has been reported that the Shahparan Surma Bridge is under threat due to illegal dredging.

It is known that Shahparan Surma bridge is under threat due to illegal dredging in Sylhet's Surma river. Balu Kheko Chakra is recklessly dredging at the base of the bridge, ignoring the rules. Although dangerous dredging is going on at the foot of an important bridge, the local administration is keeping quiet about it. A terrible accident can happen at any moment. Even though the local residents have reported such fears to the concerned department, they are not getting any remedy.

When the local residents complained to the administration for legal assistance in this regard, they expressed their inability to comply with the above instructions. Therefore, there has been intense anger among the local people. Shahparan Surma bridge over Surma river in Srirampur Sheikhpara area of South Surma area of Sylhet Tamabil bypass road. After the opening of the bridge, the public is getting convenience in the movement of vehicles traveling on the Dhaka-Tamabil highway.

Note that the bridge was built during the previous four-party coalition government. After that, the stone-carrying vehicles from Jaflong travel to different parts of the country through this bridge. Due to this, the importance of the bridge has increased immensely. Lately a sand dune has been dredging freely at the foot of the bridge. This demolition activity is going on in the name of sand extraction by managing a local administration block. Due to which sand extraction is prohibited within 500 meters of the bridge according to the conditions, but it is not happening in this case. Protesting the matter, the local Sheikhpara residents complained to Dakshin Surma Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sabera Begum to take action in consideration of public interest. He came to the surface and took measures to stop sand extraction. Dakshin Surma Upazila Awami League president and resident of Sheikhpara village Dr. Abdus Shukur said, destructive activities are going on in the name of dredging. Even after complaining to the administration, we are not getting any remedy. He said, it is unacceptable that Shahparan Surma Bridge will be destroyed due to sand mining at the cost of thousands of rupees. On the same issue, local Farmers League leader Shah Nizam Uddin said that the matter is against public interest. We have brought the dredging to the attention of the Upazila Nirbahi officials several times. He also conducted raids. When he was informed that the dredging has started again, he said that he could not do anything because of the above obligations. Meanwhile, the executive officer said, received complaints about dredging. The area is under the neighboring Sadar Upazila. So he has jurisdiction to take action.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Khan Muhammad Billal said that he is not aware of the dangerous dredging under the bridge by breaking the conditions. So take action through the concerned parties. In response to the question whether the bridge will be threatened as a result of illegal dredging, Abdul Halim, Executive Engineer of Sylhet Roads and Public Ways Department, said that unplanned dredging is harmful. He said, I am active to stop illegal dredging but am not getting administrative support.

From the looks of the situation, everyone is trying to save themselves. It can never happen that a bridge of public importance will be destroyed like this. Hope concerned authorities will take action on urgent basis.