Now ferry hits Padma Bridge span

A ferry hit the span of the Padma Bridge.

The ferry Birshreshtha Jahangir collided with the 1-B span between pillars no. 2 and 3 of the bridge on Tuesday at around 6:45 am.

The ferry's flagstand broke in this incident.

 However, it is not yet clear whether this caused any damage to the Padma Bridge.

The ferry was going from Shimulia to Paturia.

However, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) denied the incident.

Ahmed Ali, a Marine officer with the BIWTC, said, "There have been no such incidents. In the morning, one of our ferries was going to Paturia Ghat leaving from Shimulia Ghat. The flagstand of Ro-Ro Ferry Birshreshtha Jahangir can be put up and taken down. It did not collide with the Padma Bridge's pillars or spans."

Dewan Abdul Quader, the executive engineer of Padma Bridge, said he had sent people to the spot after hearing the incident and had spoken to BIWTC authorities, who said no such incident had taken place.

BIWTC Deputy General Manager Shafiqul Islam said, "The marine officer said the flagstand could be put up or down. While passing under the Padma Bridge, the driver lowered it for which there was no push or contact with the span."

Earlier, on 13 and 9 August, Ro-Ro Ferry hit no.10 pillar.

Besides, ferries had hit the pillars of Padma Bridge on the way from Banglabazar ghat twice.

On 20 and 23 July, ferries hit the 16th and 17th pillars. In these incidents, general diaries have been lodged, investigation committees have been formed and ferry drivers have been suspended.