Bridge in Pirojpur left without approach roads

A lack of connecting roads has left a bridge in Pirojpur’s Nesarabad upazila unusable even after a year of its construction.

According to related sources, in 2020 the construction of a bridge over Tarabunia canal in Sutiakathi union began with an estimated budget of Tk 5 crore after the previous bridge collapsed.

The construction was finally completed about a year ago. However, no approach roads were built on either side of the bridge, leaving around 4,000 residents of the area in an inconvenient situation.

The locals have built wooden stairs on either side of the bridge on their own accord to use the bridge in the absence of connecting roads. The locals are enraged in regard to such negligence from the authorities.

However, concerned Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) officials said the approach roads to the bridge have not been constructed due to land acquisition complications.

The lack of proper commute has left thousands of residents on both sides of the canal in a difficult situation in
the meantime.

According to upazila LGED sources, M/s MM Builders and Engineering and M/s Amir Engineers were jointly contracted to construct the 46-metre-long reinforced concrete girder bridge on the Jagannathkathi-Baithakata GC road. The bridge has been constructed at an estimated cost of Tk 5,62,22,070 and a contract price of Tk 4,84,54,066.

The construction of the bridge started on February 27, 2020, and was scheduled to be completed by February 26, 2021. But as the connecting roads are yet to be built due to land acquisition complications, the project remains unfinished.

Md Amir Hossain, the head teacher of the Baithakata Government Primary School, said it is shameful that such a project was taken without proper
planning.

“The government has spent a huge amount of money to build the bridge but the project was not planned properly. Many children have to cross the bridge to attend school and it is a risk for them as well as other residents,” he said.

Local resident Md Nuruzzaman Howladar said, “The authority should have acquired the land before constructing the bridge. Now if the owners refuse to give up their land we will have to keep using wooden stairs to cross the bridge.”

Local UP member Md Kamal Hossain said, “Some locals have suddenly refused to forfeit their land although they gave their consent before. The UP chairman had told the contractors to build the approach roads quickly but they are reluctant.”

Ruhul Amin Asim, chairman of the local Sutiakathi union parishad, said the owners of the land where the approach roads are supposed to be built are demanding money.

“I told them that LGED does not pay to acquire land, however, they are adamant. We are trying to find a solution to this situation soon and complete the project,” he said.

Nesarabad upazila parishad Chairman Abdul Haque said no one came to construct the approach roads after taking measurements for it. “The residents are demanding financial compensation for their land. The contractors are reluctant on starting construction before the problem is solved.”

LGED Nesarabad upazila Engineer Sheikh Towfique Aziz said the project was approved and the construction began before he joined the office.

“We have spoken to the higher authorities regarding the matter. Efforts are underway to resolve the situation as soon as possible,” he added.