A bridge constructed in Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila at a cost of Tk 6 crores became unusable after just one year as the connecting road to the bridge was damaged by a small amount of rain.
The damage of the connecting road made the bridge unsuitable for vehicle movement. However, no measures were taken from the Local Government of Engineering Department to repair the road. As a result, over a hundred thousand people in Asannagar and Kharibari areas under Rajagaon union in the sadar upazila are facing severe hardships.
It was learnt that the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) constructed a 2,500-meter-long PSC girder bridge in Rajagaon union of Thakurgaon sadar upazila. Alongside this, there is approximately one kilometer of connecting road. The total cost for the project was estimated at around Tk 6.5 crores. The construction work was carried out by a local contractor named Jamal Hossain. The bridge was inaugurated on March 2 of last year by Ramesh Chandra Sen, a member of the central advisory council of the Awami League and a former Member of Parliament in Thakurgaon-1 constituency.
Due to poor construction quality, the road walls and blocks of the bridge have collapsed into the river several times since its inauguration. Locals have temporarily repaired the damage using sandbags to prevent further erosion. However, during the recent slight rainfall, another section of the road on the western bank of the bridge was damaged, leading to the formation of large potholes. After a few days, the locals managed to create a passage for traffic by repairing it with sandbags and bamboo.
Currently, no heavy vehicles are using the bridge due to the damage to the road, rendering the bridge unusable. As a result, the bridge, which was constructed at a cost of Tk 6.5 crores, is not benefiting the general public in any way. Rather, the connecting road to the bridge has now become a significant obstacle for pedestrians.
Complaining about the condition of the connecting road, several pedastrians including Enamul Haque, Azgar Ali and Dabirul Islam said due to the collapse of the connecting road to the bridge caused by rainwater, which stopped the vehicles from crossing the bridge, the LGED authorities were notified multiple times. However, since the authorities did not take any action, the people of the Asannagar and Kharibari areas are facing severe difficulties in sending their produced vegetables and bananas to the markets.
Another pedestrian name Nurul Islam said despite the allocation of such a large amount of money for a small bridge and a 750-meter road, the quality of the work was not well. The contractor concerned carried out substandard work and embezzled the entire allocated amount. Otherwise, such a situation would not have arisen.
Thakugaon Sadar Upazila Engineer Abdul Kader said initially, the estimated cost for this project was Tk 5.25 crores, which was later increased to nearly Tk 6.5 crores. A few months ago, the connecting road to the bridge was damaged due to continuous heavy rainfall. We are aware of the situation and have sent a letter to the higher authorities. As soon as we receive the allocation, the road will be repaired and made suitable for vehicle movement.
Executive Engineer of Thakurgaon LGED Mohammad Mamun Bishwas said repairs have become urgent due to the collapse of the connecting road to the bridge. An estimation for the repairs has already been sent to Dhaka. Once the allocation is received, the road will be promptly repaired to make it suitable for vehicle movement, alleviating the suffering of the general public.
