The government has taken initiative to build a new paved bridge to replace the old bailey bridge in Kutukchhari area of Rangamati.
The bailey bridge, built in 1984, collapsed on January 12 due to excessive loading of stones, killing three people, including the driver.
For now, the authorities will also build an alternative road along the bailey bridge to facilitate the movement of vehicles and people.
There are 33 bailey bridges in the three hill districts. In the financial year 2021-2022, approval has been given for the construction of nine bridges including the Kutukchari Bridge.
Rangamati Roads and Highways Department confirmed the matter to Dhaka Tribune on Sunday.
According to the locals, four to five hundred vehicles and several thousand people pass through this bridge on the Rangamati-Khagrachari road daily.
The officials concerned said the total length of the Tk14.97 crore-bridge is 81 metres and the width is 10.25 metres. The bridge will sit on two spans.
The tender process for the bridge will start within the next two months. The construction work is scheduled to start in January 2022 and likely to be completed in 2023.
Meanwhile, work is underway on another paved bridge on Ghagra-Baraichari Road in Rangamati Sadar and one on Raikhali Road in Kaptai.
Preeti Chakma, UP member of Ghilachhari Union-7 of Naniyarchar upazila, said: “We are very happy to hear that the bridge will be built in a timely manner to ease sufferings of the local people.”
Shahe Arefin, executive engineer of Rangamati Roads and Highways Department, said that the bridge was a long-standing demand of the people of this region. “Accidents occurred on this bailey bridge at different times.
“All the bailey bridges in the hilly areas will be replaced with concrete bridges in phases,” he added.
