Kiamlong Bridge: A death trap in Bandarban

The precarious bridge over the Kiamlong canal in Bandarban Sadar upazila has become a death trap. For the past six years, hundreds of people from 20 villages have been using this bridge daily. Any time, a major accident could occur. Therefore, local people are demanding the demolition of the risky bridge and the construction of a new one.

According to local representatives and residents, the bridge over the Kiamlong hilly canal in Kuhalong union of Bandarban Sadar upazila, became precarious after it sank during floods in 2019. Subsequently, last year’s flood caused the bridge to bend and tilt to one side.

Moreover, due to the passage of heavy vehicles over the bridge for the past six years, many small and large potholes have formed in the middle of the bridge’s concrete. The broken concrete has exposed the iron rods of the bridge, and through the broken parts, the bottom of the canal is visible.

As a result, residents of the 20 villages who use the Bandarban-Rangamati road via Kuhalong to Gwalikhola-Chemirmukh and Chittagong region's Chandnaish and internal connecting roads are facing extreme difficulties. However, to facilitate vehicle movement, brick kiln owners have temporarily filled the broken parts of the bridge with pieces of bricks and tree branches to keep the road connection open.

Villagers Numang Pru and Mongchu Marma said that the bridge has been hazardous for more than six years. Last year’s monsoon floods caused the bridge to tilt to one side, making it even more dangerous. The broken concrete exposes the iron rods, revealing the depth of the canal below. Every day, people from 20 villages, including Kyamlong Para, Noya Para, Sainshaimong Karbari Para, Tetulia Para, and Mongpru Karbari Para, use this risky bridge.

Regarding this matter, Mongkaching Marma, a member of Ward 9 of Kuhalong union, said officials from the engineering department have visited and measured the risky bridge several times. However, despite years passing, no repairs or new bridge construction work has started.

The local government engineering department has also been contacted, but they stated that the bridge's construction work could not be implemented due to a lack of funds, he added.

Mohammad Jamal Uddin, senior engineer of Bandarban Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), confirmed the issue.

He said that the construction work of the connecting roads has already been completed. However, due to a lack of funds, it was not possible to demolish the risky bridge and construct a new one. The bridge is, however, included as a priority project.

Engineer Jamal Uddin further added that the design and cost scheme of the bridge has already been sent for approval. The tender for the bridge’s construction work will be invited very soon.