A Bailey bridge collapsed under the weight of a heavily laden sand truck in a serious accident that left at least four people injured and brought traffic to a complete standstill on a key district road, causing widespread disruption for local residents.
The incident occurred at approximately 8:00 am on Sunday near the Pachuria area, where a ten-wheeled lorry carrying sand was travelling towards Ghonapara. According to eyewitness accounts, the vehicle had just reached the midpoint of the bridge when the structure suddenly gave way without warning. Within seconds, the lorry plunged into the canal below, followed by an electric rickshaw and a bicycle that were also on the bridge at the time.
Local residents rushed to the scene and managed to rescue the injured, including the lorry driver, his assistant, and the driver of the electric rickshaw. All four injured individuals received initial treatment from nearby villagers before being moved for further medical care. However, the sunken lorry remained trapped in the canal hours after the collapse, as recovery operations proved challenging.
The bridge failure immediately severed transport links along the district’s main road, forcing commuters to seek lengthy alternative routes. Students, office workers, and local traders were among those most severely affected, with daily travel times significantly increased.
Residents expressed anger and concern over what they described as prolonged neglect of the ageing structure. Many claimed the Bailey bridge had long been in a vulnerable condition, with no visible warning signs or effective restrictions on heavy vehicle movement. They alleged that overloaded trucks frequently used the crossing despite its limited load-bearing capacity, ultimately contributing to the collapse.
Local students, particularly those attending nearby schools, reported significant disruption to their routines. With the bridge now out of service, many are required to take lengthy detours, increasing both travel costs and journey times.
Summary of the Incident
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Pachuria area, Gopalganj District |
| Time | Sunday, around 8:00 am |
| Cause | Excess weight from sand-laden ten-wheeler lorry |
| Vehicles affected | Lorry, electric rickshaw, bicycle |
| Injuries | At least 4 people |
| Transport impact | Main road completely closed |
| Recovery status | Lorry still submerged; bridge under repair |
Following the collapse, officials from the local Roads and Highways Department confirmed that emergency response measures were initiated promptly. Work has begun on reinstalling the damaged Bailey bridge, though engineers estimate that it may take two to three days to restore temporary connectivity.
Authorities also stated that a long-term solution is under consideration, including the construction of a modern permanent bridge to replace the ageing structure. Although the foundation stone for the new bridge had reportedly been laid earlier, construction work has yet to commence.
The incident has sparked renewed public criticism over infrastructure maintenance and enforcement of vehicle weight regulations, with residents urging swift action to ensure safer and more reliable transport links in the area.