The construction of 26 bridges in Barguna remains incomplete after five years, even though they were supposed to be finished in one year. Consequently, these bridges, intended to alleviate the hardships of local residents, are providing no benefit to anyone.
The irresponsibility and negligence of the contractors were blamed for the delay of the construction work of these bridges. Meanwhile, the LGED authorities said the work will be completed very soon.
It was learnt that the construction of 26 bridges that started on 2019 under the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) in various upazilas of Barguna has remained incomplete. These include 11 bridges in Barguna Sadar Upazila, 7 in Amtali Upazila, 5 in Betagi Upazila, and one each in Taltali, Patharghata, and Bamna Upazilas. Although these projects were scheduled for handover within a year after the start of construction, none have been handed over even after five years, and there is still no clear timeline for their completion. As a result, locals are enduring extreme difficulties in transportation. The estimated cost of the 26 bridges under construction is Tk 84.89 crore.
In the Sonakhali area of Atharagachia Union under Amtali Upazila, work on a 72-meter bridge costing Tk 6 crore began on January 13 in 2020, and was scheduled for completion by January 13 in 2021. Despite an extended deadline until November 13 in 2023, the work is currently halted. According to LGED, 70 percent of the bridge has been completed. The contractor responsible is Rafiuddin Ahmed Ferdous, former mayor of Mathbaria Municipality and president of the Upazila Awami League in Pirojpur District. Due to the delay, local residents, including students from nearby schools and madrassas, are facing severe inconvenience.
Affected locals say that the contractor works for a few days, then stops for long periods. The work has been halted for a long time, leaving residents in distress year after year. Students from two nearby government primary schools are forced to cross the river by boat with risk.
When contacted by phone, the contractor, former mayor Rafiuddin Ahmed Ferdous, said he would talk about the issue later, but could not be reached afterward.
The same issue persists with a 60-meter girder bridge under construction at a cost of nearly Tk 5 crore near Arpangasia Bazar on the Amtali-Taltali road. Construction began on April 12 in 2020, and was scheduled for completion by April 12 in 2021, but only 60 percent has been finished, and the contractor has not extended the work period either. This road serves as the only connecting route between the district town and the Amtali and Taltali Upazilas. Numerous heavy vehicles, including buses transporting passengers to Dhaka and other districts, use this road daily. Contractor Md Sagir Hossain, general secretary of the Barguna District Bus and Minibus Owners' Association, mentioned that the delay was caused by a utility pole but assured that construction is now ongoing and will be completed soon.
Md Sagir Hossain is also carrying out the work of eight other bridges in Barguna Sadar Upazila. Six of these are 90 percent complete, while the other two are 60 to 65 percent complete.
Due to the incomplete work, people face severe difficulty in transportation, including the movement of vehicles. Regarding this, contractor Md. Sagir Hossain said that they have requested approval for revised estimates for the six bridges that are 90 percent complete. Upon approval, these bridges will be completed promptly, while the remaining two will require a bit more time.
The work of another bridge 46-meter over a canal in Kaliratbak via Golbunia Kheyaghat in the Sadar Upazila, was initiated on February 20 in 2020, at a cost of Tk 3.95 crore, with completion initially scheduled for May 4, 2021. However, the bridge remains incomplete, causing continued suffering for local residents.
Work on a 37-meter girder bridge over Tafalbari Canal under Atharagachia Union of Amtali Upazila, costing Tk 3.37 crore, began on July 23 in 2019, with a target completion date of October 31 in 2020. Yet, four years past the deadline, only 65 percent has been finished. The contractor, former chairman of Haldia Union and joint general secretary of the Upazila Awami League, Md Shahidul Islam Mridha, has been unreachable by phone since the government change on August 5.
Because of these various issues, construction work for 26 bridges across the district remained unfinished for five years, causing hardships for students and the general public.
Executive Engineer of Barguna LGED, Md Mehedi Hasan, said that LGED has issued a final notice to all the contractors, urging them to resume work within 28 days. Otherwise, the contracts will be canceled, and further measures will be taken.
