140-year-old Sonahat Bridge deck collapses in Kurigram, heavy vehicle movement suspended

PNN News Desk | Kurigram

Heavy vehicle movement has been temporarily suspended after a portion of the steel deck of the historic Sonahat Bridge in Bhurungamari upazila of Kurigram collapsed. As a result, transportation activities linked to the Sonahat land port have come to a standstill, and numerous cargo trucks are stranded on both sides of the bridge.

On Wednesday (July 1) morning, a sand-laden dump truck was crossing the bridge when a section of the steel deck suddenly broke. The truck became stuck in the middle of the bridge. Immediately after the incident, authorities suspended heavy vehicle movement for safety reasons.

Local residents said the bridge has long been in a vulnerable condition. Several sections of the steel deck are damaged, and in some places iron plates have come loose. However, due to lack of alternatives, hundreds of vehicles continue to use the bridge daily at great risk.

The bridge was originally built during the British colonial period. It was constructed in 1887 as part of the railway route from Lalmonirhat to Guwahati over the Dudhkumar River, measuring about 1,200 feet in length. During the Liberation War, a portion of it was destroyed to stop the advance of Pakistani forces. After independence, it was repaired and converted into a road bridge, improving communication for southern Bhurungamari, Kochakata, and Madarganj areas.

Engineering experts say the bridge’s designed lifespan was 100 years, which has long expired. Locals fear a major accident at any time. They say relying on such a deteriorated bridge for land port operations poses serious risks.

Meanwhile, construction of a new bridge over the Dudhkumar River adjacent to Sonahat Bridge is ongoing. The 645-meter-long bridge is being built at a cost of around 13.6 billion taka. Although it was supposed to be completed within two years, the project has remained incomplete even after eight years, worsening local hardship.

Local businessmen Faridul Islam, Shafiqul Islam, and Nur Islam said that heavy trucks cause the entire bridge to shake. The bridge is so narrow that two large vehicles cannot pass simultaneously, often causing traffic congestion and negatively affecting trade.

Businessman Abu Hena Masum of Sonahat land port said that although damaged parts are frequently repaired, no permanent solution has been found. Suspension of heavy vehicles will disrupt import-export activities and affect government revenue.

Bhurungamari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Amrit Debnath said instructions have been given to repair the damaged section quickly. He also mentioned legal action against overloaded vehicles.

Kurigram Roads and Highways executive engineer Mir Nizam Uddin Ahmed said repair work will begin soon and traffic will resume after restoration. He added that a permanent replacement bridge is also under construction.

Locals demand that instead of repeated temporary repairs, the new bridge construction should be completed quickly for public safety and economic stability.