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Girder bridge construction in Mirzaganj not completed in three years


Published : 13 May 2022 09:00 PM

The construction work of the girder bridge at a cost of Tk 1.1cr on Chaparkhali canal adjacent to Mollah Bari in Bajita village of Mirzaganj upazila of Patuakhali has not been completed in three years. As a result, the locals are suffering immensely. The contractor has been accused of missing a bill of Tk 39 lakh without completing the construction work.

On closer inspection, it is seen that the bridge is lying unfinished. On the one hand, as there is no bypass road, people are traveling at risk with bamboo decks. On the other hand, the local farmers are suffering due to the dam being blocked by stopping the flow of water. Therefore, the affected locals have demanded to complete the construction work quickly.

According to Upazila LGED sources, Patuakhali LGED authorities have invited tenders for the construction of 18 bridges in Mirzaganj under the Iron Bridge in the southern region of Barisal Division for the development of rural infrastructure in the fiscal year 2019-20. The construction work of the girder bridge over the Chaparkhali canal adjacent to Mollabari in Bajita village of Mirzaganj upazila was awarded to a contractor named Messrs. Khan Enterprise of Betagir, Barguna. Although the construction work of the remaining 16 bridges has been completed, it is still neglected. 1.1cr has been allocated for the bridge mentioned in the tender. Although the construction work has not been completed, the contractor has already raised Tk 39 lakh by managing the concerned department.

Locals Mohammad Eunuch Mollah and Yusuf Mollah complained that substandard materials were used in the construction of the bridge. The contractor's people did not allow anyone to come near during the construction work due to the obstruction of the locals. The piles of the bridge have been given 20 feet instead of 60 feet. In addition, bricks of the old bridge have been used for casting. Due to non-construction of bypass roads for traffic, the locals are suffering in the monsoon season. Agricultural work has been damaged due to lack of water. Md Khalilur Rahman Khan, the proprietor of the concerned contractor Messrs. Khan Enterprise, when contacted on his mobile phone, said, "I will be happy if the work is canceled."

Work Supervision Officer Upazila Deputy Assistant Engineer. Humayun said the bridge was overseen by Deputy Assistant Engineer Abdul Jalil. After his retirement I was given the responsibility. I can't say why the work didn't end.

Md Anwar Hossain, District Executive Engineer, Patuakhali LGED, said, "He will look into the matter."