Unfinished approach roads make Tk 4cr bridge at Louhajang useless

TANGAIL, Aug 13: A bridge over the Louhajang River in the Tangail municipality has remained incomplete four years after construction began, leaving thousands of local residents without the expected benefits of the Tk 4 crore project.
The Kachua Danga-Charpatuli Bridge was supposed to be completed within two years. Contractor Sony Enterprise started work in 2020 after receiving the work order, with the deadline set for May 2022. However, the contractor has yet to complete the project.
The bridge was built at a cost of around Tk 4 crore under the Tangail Municipality's funding for the 2019-20 fiscal year. Although the main structure has largely been constructed, the approach roads on both sides remain incomplete as soil filling and construction of the required curbs have not been done.
As a result, the bridge remains virtually unusable. Local people have been forced to cross it using makeshift bamboo ladders, risking accidents. Many others, particularly elderly people, women and children, have to take an alternative route that is about a kilometre longer.
The unfinished bridge has also created difficulties in transporting goods and carrying patients and bodies to and from the area.
During a recent visit, this correspondent found garbage dumped on both sides of the bridge, causing foul odours and environmental pollution. School and college students were seen using the bamboo ladders to cross the structure at considerable risk.
Local businessman Nur Nabi said the contractor had abandoned the work.
“We still suffer because the bridge has not been opened. It is difficult to transport sick people and bodies. Accidents often occur while people climb up and down the ladder after dark. Sometimes the bamboo breaks, completely disrupting movement,” he said.
Local resident Sumon Mia said the contractor failed to fill the approach roads on both sides.
“A person was injured after stepping on an iron nail while climbing the ladder. We also submitted a request to the municipality seeking a solution, but nothing has been done,” he said.
Former councillor of Ward No 9 Md Abdur Razzak said the bridge was constructed in response to a long-standing demand from local residents.
“The old bamboo bridge was removed and this bridge was built. But although the main construction was completed, the contractor did not fill the approaches on either side. He left the project unfinished and disappeared,” he said.
Several attempts to contact Asadullah Khan Sayed, owner of Sony Enterprise, by phone went unanswered.
Tangail Municipality Assistant Engineer Md Monirul Islam said an estimate for constructing the revised approach roads of the bridge had been sent to the higher authorities under the municipality's infrastructure development project.
“Once approval is received, work on the approach roads will begin,” he said.