Chattogram Bridge Collapse Report Points to Aging Structure, Heavy Load, and Erosion

The committee investigating the collapse of a bridge over the Sheetal Jharna canal in Chattogram has submitted its findings, identifying four key factors behind the failure and issuing urgent recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The report, handed to the Chief Executive Officer of Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) yesterday, stated that the nearly 50-year-old bridge’s old brick foundation could not handle the increased water pressure caused by the widening and deepening of the canal.

It also cited long-term erosion from nearby drain water, constant strain from heavy industrial vehicles, and potential damage from large-diameter pipelines installed by WASA as contributing factors.

According to the report, the canal was widened from 6 to 13 meters under projects led by the Chattogram Development Authority and the army, which accelerated monsoon water flow. The stronger currents gradually eroded the soil under the foundation, causing the northern brick abutment to collapse and partially sinking the bridge.

Additional findings highlighted that ongoing drain water erosion, frequent heavy lorry traffic, and WASA’s installation of 900mm and 1200mm pipelines significantly increased the risk of structural failure.

To mitigate such risks, the committee recommended: identifying old bridges and culverts vulnerable to dredging, urgently rebuilding them to modern standards, reconstructing collapsed retaining walls, restricting heavy vehicles on high-risk bridges with clear warning signs, and ensuring better coordination among utility agencies like WASA, gas, and BTCL during pipeline installations.

A committee member, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the collapse as the result of an aged structure struggling against changed water flow patterns.

CCC’s CEO Sheikh Muhammad Touhidul Islam responded by assuring that the corporation would take immediate action to implement the recommendations and prevent further public inconvenience.

The bridge failed following heavy overnight rainfall on August 6, disrupting traffic and forcing commuters to find alternate routes.