Two bridges in Meherpur Sadar Upazila and Ujjalpur are within one kilometer. There is a bridge at one end which is also being used. The construction of a bridge at the other end started in 2021. The construction of the bridge was scheduled to be completed by June, 2023. The contractor lost half of the work due to the increase in the price of construction materials. However, the contractor has already picked up the bulk of the bill. Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) officials say work is ongoing.
It can be seen on the ground, the unfinished work of the bridge over the Bhairab river in Ujjalpur village of Meherpur Sadar upazila. A half-built bridge on rusted rods stands in the middle of the Bhairab river. There is no connecting road with the bridge on both sides of the river.
Villagers said that the price of construction materials increased during the construction of the bridge. The contracting firm 'M/s Kamar Jani Sumon' started using inferior materials in the construction of the bridge. Villagers stand in the way of unscheduled work. As a result, the contractor packed up and left. The work remains unfinished.
Under the Greater Kushtia District Rural Infrastructure Development Project, the construction of the 96.10 m PSC girder bridge with 975 m chainage has been estimated at a cost of about 6.5 crores. However, the contractor did not give any answer as to why the work was stopped. At the construction site of the bridge, there are exposed construction materials lying on the ground. Md. Ujjalpur in charge of guard. Garibullah said that he is performing maintenance duties with a salary of 15 thousand taka per month. He did not get any salary for seven months. The contractor has stopped working since then. If you sell the goods that are lying there will be two months’ salary. But because there is no one in the organization, he is unable to leave work. He is not even getting paid. When Abu Bakkar Siddique, the manager of the contracting firm - M/s Qamar Jani Sumon, was contacted on the phone, he disconnected the mobile connection without answering any questions.
Senior Assistant Engineer of Meherpur Local Government Engineering Department (LGED). Habibur Rahman said - the work is ongoing. Girder Bridge is being constructed at a cost of Tk 6.5 crore under the Rural Infrastructure Development Project. The duration of the project has been extended again. Bill withdrawal is not correct.
