The expansion and renovation of the bridge over the Dhaleshwari River in Ghior upazila of Manikganj is progressing slowly. As a result, nearly 100,000 people from three unions along this route are facing significant hardship.
The renovation of the bridge located at Pecharkanda area on the Dhulandi-Singjuri regional paved road has a cost of Tk 2.5 crore. The work, which started on September 20 in 2023, was initially set to be completed by July 20 in 2024. However, even after the deadline, the progress is less than half of the expected completion. Due to the incomplete work, residents are now forced to take a detour of at least 10 kilometers to reach the district sadar. As a result, students, job holders, farmers, and ordinary people are enduring severe difficulties. Thousands of people from Singjuri, Paila, and Baliakhora unions travel on this road daily.
Meanwhile, locals have to cross the bridge using a risky wooden ladder. In this situation, local residents are urging for the bridge work to be completed quickly.
According to the upazila LGED, the Dhaleshwari River bridge, which is 100.10 meters long, was originally built under the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) in 2008. However, due to erosion caused by floods on the northern side of the river, the approach road to the bridge was washed away, leading to a disruption in communication. Later, in the 2023-24 fiscal year, the LGED undertook the work to extend the bridge by 25.8 meters and renovate the entire bridge.
The contracting company, M/s Mitu Traders of Jamalpur, was given the contract. Despite the allocated time having passed, only 50 percent of the work has been completed. Now, the contracting company has requested an extension until January 2025.
Abdul Awal Khan, chairman of the Baliyakhora union, said that the people are facing immense difficulties, and he has called for the work to be completed swiftly. Residents of the three unions are experiencing major inconvenience, especially in transporting agricultural products and materials.
They have to spend double and take a long detour to sell their products.
The representative of the contracting company, Pintu Saha, said that the work was delayed due to the national elections and the monsoon season.
He confirmed that an extension has been granted for the second phase of work, with the completion expected by January.
Engineer of the Upazila LGED, Mohammad Shahinuzzaman, said that the work on the bridge is ongoing, with 50 percent of it completed as per the schedule. He has communicated with the staff of the contracting company and urged them to complete the work as soon as possible.
