Traffic jam on Dhaka Aricha highway due to renovation work of Manikganj bridge

Manikganj Representative: Traffic is moving slowly due to the renovation work of one lane of Jagir Bridge of Sadar Upazila of Manikganj on Dhaka-Aricha highway. Because of that, drivers and passengers have suffered in the traffic jam on both sides of the bridge. On Sunday (March 17) in the afternoon, such a picture was seen on the surface of the bridge area. According to Sauz sources, the bridge was constructed on Dhaleswari river in Jagir area in 1973. It is an important bridge on this highway. A gap is kept at the junction of the bridge to accommodate the expansion and contraction of different parts of the bridge due to vibration.

Due to long-term traffic over the bridge, the steel sheets at the junction of various parts of the bridge have bent and become completely hollow by 3 to 4 inches. In addition, the bridge shakes and makes noise when the traffic moves over the bridge. This bridge has a total of 12 expansion joints. They are being renovated. Workers are working on pouring cement and stone by placing steel sheets in the empty space of these joints.

One lane of the bridge is almost finished. After that they will start working on the other lane. This work of the bridge started last Wednesday (March 13) and will continue until March 23. Vehicles on one side of the bridge have to be parked and the vehicles on the other side have to move through the lane on the south side of the bridge. Due to this, vehicles are stuck on both sides of the bridge for 15 to 20 minutes. Because of this, passengers and drivers are suffering.

After crossing the bridge and coming to the west side, Nilachal bus driver Alauddin said, I was able to cross the bridge after waiting for 20 minutes. If the work of the bridge is completed soon, this suffering will be saved. At that time, when I spoke to some other bus drivers, they also said the same thing. Talking to a few passengers, they said that it would have been better if the bridge was not repaired during the month of Ramadan.

It is difficult to stay inside the car while fasting during this heat. Abdul Quader Jilani, deputy divisional engineer of Soaz in Manikganj, said that the gap in the expansion joints of the old bridge caused noise and jolt during traffic. Due to this, the wheels of the vehicle are damaged. There may be some problems during the renovation work. However, the work will be completed within the stipulated time.