Staff Reporter, Gaibandha/

The Badiakhali-Talukzamira culvert has become impassable as it is dangerous. Vehicles have been plying freely over the vulnerable culvert for the last four years at the risk of the culvert collapsing under the pressure of flood water. A major accident can happen at any time.

It is known that there is a culvert called Shaultari on the Badiyakhali-Talukjamira road in Sadar Upazila. The culvert was constructed by the Water Development Board in 1976 for traffic. In 2019, the soil on the western side of the culvert gave way due to the heavy pressure of the flood water. The road is the only means of communication between Badiyakhali, Gobindganj and Palashbari upazilas of Gaibandha Sadar upazila. As a result, various vehicles including CNG, mini trucks, trucks, motorcycles, autorickshaws ply. Due to this, almost minor accidents are happening at that place. Amjad Ali, a local resident, said that the soil on the west side of the culvert has become very dangerous. If this culvert of about 47 years old is demolished and constructed anew, people will be saved from accidents.

Abdul Jabbar Sarkar, a resident of Badiyakhali village, said that this is a very old culvert. Every now and then minor accidents happen in this culvert. Another new culvert needs to be constructed here. Mofidul Islam, a battery operated auto rickshaw driver who plies regularly on this road, said that he travels on this road every day. But the condition of the culvert is bad. It can cause major accidents at any time.

Member of Badiyakhali Union Parishad. Shahidul Islam said that the Water Development Board constructed the culvert in 1976. It has long been risky. In 2019, due to the pressure of flood water, the soil on the western side gave way, causing further complications. I am afraid to move on this road. Accidents can happen at any time. So a new culvert needs to be constructed.’