According to sources, the rail-bridge is placed 300 metres above the Manu River and has 208 sleepers among which half the sleepers are damaged. Therefore, the bamboo sticks have been used in order to prevent the displacement of the remaining sleepers.
The bamboo may give way at any moment and cause a serious accident.
Sylhet Railway Assistant Engineer Mujibur Rahman said: “Due to the shortage of wood, the damaged sleepers could not be replaced.”
However, he said that he will inspect the location regarding the allegations of using bamboo on rail tracks.
He also said: “We are planning to install new sleepers to replace the old, damaged sleepers within the next two years.”
Sreemangal Railway Senior Sub-Assistant Engineer Ali Azam told Bangla Tribune: “We are worried about Manu rail bridge. We have a maintenance staff constantly monitoring the area.”
The rail bridge is located right next to the Manu rail station. Inspection revealed bamboos were nailed to the damaged sleepers throughout the length of the bridge.
When asked, railway staff Abdur Rahman said the sleepers have been damaged a long time. He said the sleepers sometimes become displaced when trains run over them.
He said: “We have to examine the rail lines twice a day and mend the damaged parts all over again. We use the bamboos to prevent the sleepers from being displaced.”
Thursday, April 25, 2024
