A bridge that was constructed at a cost of Tk41 lakh in Kashiani, Gopalganj six years ago remains untouched due to the absence of a road connecting to it.
The bridge, built under the Disaster Management Department's bridge-culvert construction project in the 2016-17 fiscal year, stands over the Bhulbaria canal in Rajpat union.
While one end of the bridge is linked to a road, the other end leads to croplands surrounded by hills, rendering the bridge inaccessible.
During the monsoon, residents from 10 villages rely on boats due to submerged fields.
The locals have been urging the construction of a road from the paved road near the bridge to Rajpat Uttarpara Eidgah in Bhulbaria, which would make the bridge beneficial for them.
However, even after six years, the road has not been constructed. This lack of road is causing significant difficulties for school and college students from 10 villages, as well as the general public, for movement.
Locals claim that a road was necessary before building the bridge. However, the then upazila project implementation officers and contractors built the bridge without consulting the locals.
Rajpat 4 no Ward Union Parishad Member Fozlel Haqe said: "The bridge has been built for a long time. But the bridge is of no use as there is no road. During the rainy season, people have to move by boat. We demand the construction of the road immediately.’
Kashiani Upazila Project Implementation Officer Mohammad Miran Hossain Mia said, "The bridge was constructed before I joined here. I know about it now. So I will talk to the concerned authorities about it. We will take the initiative to build a road there soon."
Kashiani Upazila LGED Engineer Morshedul Islam said: "I am not aware of this, but the bridge was built through the Upazila Project Implementation Officer's office. We will discuss with local representatives about starting a road construction project there."
