Bridge ready but lies idle sans approach roads
Skip to main content
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Splash
  • Features
  • Videos
  • Long Read
  • Games
  • Epaper
  • More
    • COVID-19
    • Bangladesh
    • Infograph
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Thoughts
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Subscribe
    • Archive
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
    • Supplement
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard
WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2022
WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2022
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Splash
  • Features
  • Videos
  • Long Read
  • Games
  • Epaper
  • More
    • COVID-19
    • Bangladesh
    • Infograph
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Thoughts
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Subscribe
    • Archive
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
    • Supplement
  • বাংলা
Bridge ready but lies idle sans approach roads

Transport

Kazi Moniruzzaman
08 May, 2021, 02:00 pm
Last modified: 08 May, 2021, 02:00 pm

Related News

  • If feasible, Meghna bridge at Shariatpur-Chandpur point to link 21 districts
  • India reacts to China’s new bridge across Pangong Lake, says it is ‘occupied area’
  • 1 killed, several injured in Kaptai bridge collapse
  • US-Canada bridge reopens after police clear protesters
  • Thousands suffer as Narail bridge not completed yet in four years

Bridge ready but lies idle sans approach roads

Although the approach roads are scheduled to be completed by June 2021, only 50% of the work has so far been completed

Kazi Moniruzzaman
08 May, 2021, 02:00 pm
Last modified: 08 May, 2021, 02:00 pm
The bridge over the River Kirtinasha in Shariatpur’s Naria Upazila was built spending Tk9.8 crore over one and a half years ago. But it lays idle as only 50% construction work of the roads connecting to the bridge has been completed so far. Photo: TBS
The bridge over the River Kirtinasha in Shariatpur’s Naria Upazila was built spending Tk9.8 crore over one and a half years ago. But it lays idle as only 50% construction work of the roads connecting to the bridge has been completed so far. Photo: TBS

One and half years have gone past since a bridge over the River Kirtinasha close to Vojeshwar river port in Shariatpur's Naria upazila was constructed, but villagers are still suffering because approach roads connecting to the bridge have not been built yet.

The bridge that was built at a cost of Tk9.8 crore to ease suffering of people in Naria and Zajira upazilas is now lying idle. 

The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) in the district paid the bill to two contractors of the bridge project although they did not build the connecting roads on both sides of the bridge – in Gourail village in Vojeshwar union beside the river port, and Char Vojeshwar village in Japsha union - owing to complications in land acquisition. 

The LGED later revised the project that started in 2016 and discarded the approach road construction plan, according to the department. 

Following the revised plan, the contractors named Kamarjani Brozen and Anowara built a 10-metre box culvert and a 80-metre embankment on both sides of the river instead of constructing the roads.

Later, on 18 July 2019, the LGED started building the link roads at a cost of Tk13.21 crore under a new project.

Although the link roads are supposed to be completed by June 2021, only 50% of the work has so far been completed. 

A 162-metre link road from Gourail to Mosura village's Dr Jalil Bari area, and another 303-metre link road through Char Vojeshwar village to Japsha Kheya Ghat were supposed to be built. 

But there appeared a problem in acquiring land in Char Vojeshwar. The land was private property and owners were unwilling to give the land to the government, according to Md Sahabuddin Khan, Naria upazila engineer. 

Md Sahabuddin said, "The construction of the connecting roads could not be done as the scheduled time of completing the project was over, and there were complications over land acquisition for building the roads." 

"Due to the complications in land acquisition, the LGED started making the link roads using RE Wall technology. This is a new technology which makes it possible to build roads using less space. It is taking time to finish the work as it is a new technology. We are not wasting time. Hopefully, the work will be completed soon," he said.        

If the 99-metre long bridge opens, residents of at least 150 villages in Naria and Zajira upazilas will be able to go to Shariatpur town, Dhaka, and other places easily.  It will also cost less to transport agricultural goods.  

The bridge over the River Kirtinasha in Shariatpur’s Naria Upazila was built spending Tk9.8 crore over one and a half years ago. But it lays idle as only 50% construction work of the roads connecting to the bridge has been completed so far. Photo: TBS
The bridge over the River Kirtinasha in Shariatpur’s Naria Upazila was built spending Tk9.8 crore over one and a half years ago. But it lays idle as only 50% construction work of the roads connecting to the bridge has been completed so far. Photo: TBS

Bonnya Begum from Gourail village in Vojeshwar union said they have not benefitted from the bridge because it has no approach roads. They still have to cross the river by boat, and after 9 pm at night, there are no boats, she said. 

Patients suffer the most, she added.

Arif Bepari, an auto-rickshaw driver from the Japsha union, said, "We now have to travel a long distance to go to Shariatpur town. If the bridge opens, the distance will come down to eight kilometres. Right now, without the bridge, our vehicles often get damaged as the roads we use are dilapidated."

Shamim Hossain was waiting for a boat at the Vojeshwar river port Ghat (terminal) with his motorbike to go to Char Vojeshwar. He said accidents were very common there while crossing the river, especially, during the monsoon.

People still have to risk their lives as there is no alternative now, he said. But if the bridge opened, it would take only five minutes to go to Japsha union, he added.

Bangladesh / Top News

Shariatpur / bridge / Government Engineering Department (LGED)

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Gunman kills 18 children, 3 adults in Texas elementary school, officials say
    Gunman kills 18 children, 3 adults in Texas elementary school, officials say
  • Now amnesty in the offing to bring back laundered money
    Now amnesty in the offing to bring back laundered money
  • India greenlights wheat exports to Bangladesh on G2G basis
    India greenlights wheat exports to Bangladesh on G2G basis

MOST VIEWED

  • Trains to run on Padma Bridge in March next year
    Trains to run on Padma Bridge in March next year
  • Two years in office: Mayor Atiq plans school buses to ease traffic jam
    Two years in office: Mayor Atiq plans school buses to ease traffic jam
  • Lack of public transport, traffic chaos continue to plague Ctg residents
    Lack of public transport, traffic chaos continue to plague Ctg residents
  • Representational Image
    Ctg Zilla Parishad allows speedboat operation flouting BIWTA order
  • ADP for transport proposed to be doubled
    ADP for transport proposed to be doubled
  • Photo: Collected
    ‘VIP movement’ on roads: Do rules allow it?

Related News

  • If feasible, Meghna bridge at Shariatpur-Chandpur point to link 21 districts
  • India reacts to China’s new bridge across Pangong Lake, says it is ‘occupied area’
  • 1 killed, several injured in Kaptai bridge collapse
  • US-Canada bridge reopens after police clear protesters
  • Thousands suffer as Narail bridge not completed yet in four years

Features

The balcony railings of the Boro Sardar Bari in Sonargaon. Made of cast iron, these railings feature vertical posts with intricate designs on top. Photo: Noor-A-Alam

The evolution of railing and grille designs

20h | Habitat
A Russian army service member fires a howitzer during drills at the Kuzminsky range in the southern Rostov region, Russia January 26, 2022. REUTERS/Sergey Pivovarov/File Photo

3 months of Ukraine war : Miscalculations, resistance and redirected focus

21h | Analysis
Musk is denying the sexual harassment allegation that surfaced this week. Photo: Bloomberg

Elon Musk’s crazily banal week 

1d | Panorama
Asus Zenbook 14 Flip OLED: A touch of brilliance to your life

Asus Zenbook 14 Flip OLED: A touch of brilliance to your life

1d | Brands

More Videos from TBS

Bangladesh Bank relaxes rules to deal with dollar crisis

Bangladesh Bank relaxes rules to deal with dollar crisis

10h | Videos
Russia claims use of laser weapons, Ukraine denies

Russia claims use of laser weapons, Ukraine denies

10h | Videos
Celebrity Gallery in Rajshahi like Madame Tussauds

Celebrity Gallery in Rajshahi like Madame Tussauds

11h | Videos
Burger-lover student becomes self-dependent, provides employment

Burger-lover student becomes self-dependent, provides employment

12h | Videos

Most Read

1
Tk100 for bike, Tk2,400 for bus to cross Padma Bridge
Bangladesh

Tk100 for bike, Tk2,400 for bus to cross Padma Bridge

2
A packet of US five-dollar bills is inspected at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington March 26, 2015. REUTERS/Gary Cameron
Banking

Dollar hits Tk100 mark in open market

3
Bangladesh at risk of losing ownership of Banglar Samriddhi
Bangladesh

Bangladesh at risk of losing ownership of Banglar Samriddhi

4
BSEC launches probe against Abul Khayer Hero and allies
Stocks

BSEC launches probe against Abul Khayer Hero and allies

5
The reception is a volumetric box-shaped room that has two glass walls on both the front and back ends and the other two walls are adorned with interior plants, wood and aluminium screens. Photo: Noor-A-Alam
Habitat

The United House: Living and working inside nature

6
Illustration: TBS
Banking

Let taka slide

The Business Standard
Top
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • About Us
  • Bangladesh
  • International
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Economy
  • Sitemap
  • RSS

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net

Copyright © 2022 THE BUSINESS STANDARD All rights reserved. Technical Partner: RSI Lab