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Bridge construction incomplete even in 2 years, locals in distress


Published : 21 Jan 2023 08:57 PM

Kuliarchar-Dariakandi road is one of the important roads from Kuliarchar Upazila of Kishoreganj. The construction of the RCC bridge started in May 2020 after demolishing the dangerous Bailey bridge on this road. However, although the work of the bridge was supposed to be completed on November 30, the work has not been completed yet. As a result, millions of people traveling on that road have to suffer. Local residents say that the work of the bridge is not likely to be completed in the next 5 years as the work is progressing slowly. The contractor, on the other hand, says that there is a year's delay in his removal of electricity and lack of funds. And meanwhile, the Upazila engineer says that the work of the bridge will be completed within the next two months.

According to sources, one of the major roads from Kuliarchar Upazila is the Kuliarchar-Dariakandi road. A Bailey Bridge was constructed in Doaria area of this road in 1988 at a cost of 50 lakh taka. Over the years, the bridge was demolished as most of the abutments were exposed due to lack of renovation. After this, in the month of 2020, the local government engineering department started the construction of a 45 meter RCC bridge at a cost of Tk 3 crore 18 lakh 49 thousand 829. However, the construction work of the bridge was supposed to be completed on November 30 of this year, but the car drivers and ordinary passengers are suffering because the work has not been completed yet.

If you go to the ground and talk to the drivers of light and medium vehicles, they say that no one understands our cost. If this bridge is early, it will be beneficial for us. Can't get up with a car. It is very difficult to raise and lower the car. Every day the car has to be pushed and lifted. Even if you get a rent of 10 taka, you spend 20 taka on the back of the car. Car facilities cannot be provided.

Locals requested that the bridge be repaired soon. It is very difficult to travel on this road. It goes without saying that the bridge works so slowly. The work of the bridge started two and a half years ago but is still not completed. The work of the workers in the construction of the bridge cannot be observed. One or two people are seen working. If one or two people work, the work of this bridge will not be completed even in the next 5 years. In addition, there is a serious problem in the supply of daily necessities including construction materials in the area due to the inability of large vehicles to move. Besides, light vehicles including autorickshaws, autovans and motorcycles are moving at risk.

Kamruzzaman Shamim, the owner of Shamim Construction, a contracting company, said that there has been a year's delay in removing the electricity cables. There is a fund problem because I am not getting money for a long time. A bill of more than one crore rupees has been submitted to the government office, but due to lack of funds, I am not receiving the bill.

SRMG Kibria, Upazila engineer of Kuliarchar LGED, said that the work of the bridge is nearing completion. He said that the work of the bridge will be completed within the next two months.