Bogra bridge crack disrupts connection to northern Bangladesh

Traffic to eight districts in northern Bangladesh has been disrupted after cracks appeared in a bridge over the Kortoa River in Bogra.

Though buses and other light transports have made slow crossings of the bridge in Mahasthangarh Upazila, heavy vehicles are taking a 10km detour on the Mahasthan-Shibganj road.

The incident has caused traffic delays in Rangpur, Dinajpur, Nilphamari, Panchagarh, Thakurgaon, Lalmonirhat, Jaipurhat and Kurigram Upazilas.

“There is a crack on a girder in the middle of the bridge,” said Bogra Roads and Highways Chief Engineer Ashrafuzzaman. “For safety, only a single car or bus is being allowed to cross the bridge at a time.”

Two experts from Dhaka are on their way to inspect the bridge and further steps will be taken once they report on the situation, the chief engineer added.

Police have posted red flags and danger signs on the road to stop and redirect traffic.

An inspection of the bridge has led to a decision to redirect traffic, Bogra Traffic Police Inspector Salek Uddin said.

Reports from the area say that the narrowness of roads on the alternate route has led to congestion.

The number of vehicles attempting to use the alternate roads has given rise to heavy traffic, said passenger Pradeep Mahanta, who arrived in Bogra from Shibganj.

Travellers are facing delays of over two hours.