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October
9, 2000
Sylhet,
Oct 8 (UNB) – The age-old Keane Bridge over the river Surma in the
town is now in vulnerable condition and became risky for all modes of
vehicles.
Named
after the then Assam Provincial Governor Michel Keane, the 395-metre
long and 5.5 metre wide bridge was constructed in 1936 costing Tk 56
lakh. It connected both parts of Sylhet town.
The
bridge was in good condition till 1970. But during war of liberation
in 1971, a portion of the bridge was blown off by dynamite explosion.
After the war, the bridge was repaired and opened for light vehicles.
Bangladesh
Railway repaired the bridge with concrete metals in 1977 and allowed
movement of all modes of vehicles aiming to reduce traffic jam.
But
as the rail station, central bus terminal, all inter-district bus
terminals and internal bus service stations located in South Surma,
the bridge has to suffer increasing pressure day by day.
Sources
said longevity of the bridge has been reduced, as vehicles are to
strand hours after hours on this strategic bridge due to heavy traffic
jam forcing it to a vulnerable condition.
Town
dwellers said the bridge now became risky for vehicular movement and
any serious accident may occur any time as no repair work was
undertaken to keep the bridge viable.
They
urged the authority concerned to take necessary measures to protect
the historical bridge as an archeological instance and save people
from any unwanted situation.
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