NAOGAON, Apr 7: A bridge constructed over the Atrai River in the Shibganj-Gopinathpur Bazar area of Naogaon's Mahadevpur Upazila at a cost of over Tk 30 crore has remained unutilised for a year due to the absence of an approach road.
Consequently, local residents are being deprived of the bridge's benefits and are forced to cross the river using a precarious bamboo pathway.
According to Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) sources, the construction of the 259-metre bridge began in March 2021. The project, with a budget of Tk 30.59 crore, was awarded to Max Infrastructure, a Dhaka-based contracting firm.
Although the project was initially scheduled for completion by August 2023, the deadline was extended. However, even a year after the bridge's structural completion, it remains closed to traffic because land acquisition complexities on the eastern side have stalled the construction of the approach road.
Locals said the bridge connects Uttargram Union on the east with Chandash Union on the west. Located about 4km south of the upazila headquarters, the area serves as a vital crossing point for residents of Manda, Patnitala, and Porsha upazilas.
Around 4,000 to 5,000 people, including students, use this crossing daily. In the dry season, they rely on the bamboo pathway, while in the monsoon, they must use boats. To end these long-standing woes, the bridge was commissioned. Ironically, since the approach road is missing, both ends of the bridge remain fenced off, forcing people back onto the bamboo structures.
"During the monsoon, we have to wait nearly 30 minutes for a boat. It is difficult for our children to commute for their studies. If the bridge opened soon, our long-standing suffering would finally end," said Salman Farsi, a resident of Gopinathpur Village.
Sirajul Islam of Kanchan Village shared similar frustrations, noting that residents have been waiting for 50 years for a permanent solution. "A bridge has been built, but we still cannot use it. We are forced to take the risks of the bamboo bridge," he said.
Akka Ali from Manda Upazila, who has been using the crossing for 20 years, urged the authorities to resolve the road connection issues immediately.
Bidyut Hossain, the operator of the local ferry (kheyaghat), confirmed that thousands cross the river daily and that the bridge was a long-term demand of the community.
Abdul Majid, Manager of the contracting firm, stated that the bridge construction was completed long ago. "The work on the approach road is halted due to land-related complications on the eastern side. We have informed the authorities to resolve the issue quickly," he added.
When contacted, Md. Badruddoza, Executive Engineer of LGED Naogaon, said, "The approach road work is stuck due to land acquisition complexities. This is why traffic movement remains suspended. We expect the problem to be resolved soon, making the bridge fit for public use."
