The construction of the Chuadanga railway overpass, launched on 12 August 2023 to ease traffic woes, remains incomplete after two years, leaving local residents enduring severe hardship. The overpass, intended to span 748.696 metres, was scheduled for completion by June 2024 at a cost of BDT 75.117 million. However, progress has been slow and mired in complications.
Because the site has been repeatedly excavated, locals suffer daily disturbances. Alongside traffic congestion, during the rainy season surface depression and waterlogging on the road make travel even more difficult.
Truck driver Hasem Ali said, “Driving over this pothole‑ridden road damages vehicle parts on a daily basis. We incur extra costs—which makes earning a living even harder.”
CNG (auto‑rickshaw) driver Rashidul Islam added, “The construction has torn up the road, making every journey extremely difficult. We have no idea when it will be fixed.”
Advocate Manik Akbar, President of Nirapad Sadok Chai, Chuadanga District Branch, noted that because 10 to 12 trains pass daily, the level crossing is closed for nearly four hours during the day. This dramatically disrupts movement in the town, and therefore the overpass was a long‑standing demand of Chuadanga’s residents.
Initially, the ramp length in the design was 330 metres, but the steep gradient of the connecting road made it impracticable. Consequently, a revised design was submitted to the ministry, extending each ramp by 102 metres. The required additional funds amount to BDT 164.9 million, bringing the total estimated cost to BDT 916 million. An extension has been requested until June 2026 for project completion.
Though work had advanced swiftly at first, it later stalled due to issues including land acquisition, design errors, rising costs demanded by electricity and railway authorities, and absence of service roads. Officials admit some responsibility.
When contacted by phone, the contractor—National Development Engineering Limited (NDE) of Dhaka Banani—said that delays are largely due to land procurement problems. The revised development proposal (RDP) has been submitted to the ministry in light of increased construction costs, and they hope approval will expedite the work.
Originally, on 28 June 2022, the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the overpass project at BDT 75 crore. Subsequently, tenders were called and NDE was granted the contract.
