A bridge that the ministry of relief constructed in Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila over 16 months ago remains unused due to the lack of a connecting road.
The 50-foot-long and 14-foot-wide bridge was constructed at a cost of Tk 68,68,703 in the Etapota Chararpar area of Moghalhat union in the upazila to make commuting easy for villagers from Etapota, Bangram, Chararpar, Kharua, and Bumka villages.
But without a connecting road, villagers are unable to transport goods across the bridge and have to cross it using wooden and bamboo makeshift structures.
The construction of the bridge was completed in May 2022, and as per an agreement with the contractor.
The contractor, Liton Islam has yet to hand the bridge over as the connecting road has not been constructed. Meanwhile, 80 percent of the bill has been paid to him, said sources.
Liton said the construction of the bridge's connecting road is being delayed due to flood and a shortage of soil, but they have a plan to bring soil from elsewhere and start the road's construction soon.
Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila PIO Mashiur Rahman said they will take legal action against the contractor if the connecting road is not completed by this month.
