Jhalakathi Bailey Bridge Remains a Daily Hazard 8 Years After Being Declared Risky

A Bailey bridge built in the 1980s over the Basonda River on the Barisal-Khulna Regional Highway remains a daily hazard for commuters, eight years after authorities officially declared it risky.

Hundreds of vehicles rely on this crucial transit point connecting Barisal and Jhalakathi to Pirojpur, Bagerhat, Khulna, and the broader southwestern region. Drivers and passengers frequently report the bridge swaying violently under the weight of passenger buses and cargo trucks. Loose structural slabs have led to frequent accidents, prompting local residents to warn of a looming disaster if a permanent bridge is not constructed soon.

While the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) occasionally performs patchwork repairs to keep traffic moving, the aging structure rapidly deteriorates within days, rendering the quick fixes useless.

Local RHD authorities claim a permanent solution is moving forward, noting that a proposal has been sent to the ministry. An engineer from the Jhalakathi RHD stated that a new project design is complete. "We have received the land acquisition letter from the Deputy Commissioner's office. Utility teams are currently on-site relocating power poles, and preliminary work is progressing," the official explained.

Despite these administrative assurances, commuters continue to cross the dilapidated bridge at their own risk, waiting for visible construction to begin.