Narail, Sept 15 (UNB) - Although the construction of Baroipara bridge over the Nabaganga River in Kalia upazila was scheduled to be finished by June, it is now September and so far only 22 percent of the work has been completed.
The contractor has managed to put up just two pillars at the proposed site for the bridge in two years since the construction work began. The cost of the 651.83-metre bridge was fixed at Tk 65 crore.
The residents of 14 unions within the Kalia upazila are suffering immensely due to the lack of a bridge on the Nabaganga River as it cuts off the upazila from Narail district town. The movement of the locals and goods is hindered in the absence of a bridge on the river.
Amit Das, a trader from Kalia Bazar, said their suffering was immense. “We've to use a ferry to cross the river but it operates once every hour. So, we’re forced to wait with our goods to get to the market,” he said.
Syed Imtiaz Hossain Ratan, an official of the contractor agency, said the delay in construction is the result of complications about the bridge’s design.
“Already 22 percent of the construction work is finished. We are optimistic about finishing all the work within the extended timeline of one year,” he added.
Narail Roads and Highways Department Executive Engineer Md Farid Uddin said the time for the construction of a bridge over the Nabaganga River has been extended by a year, till next June.
Local MP (Narail-1 constituency) Kabirul Haq Mukti said, “Due to the negligence of the construction company (contractor), the work could not be completed within the stipulated time. I’ve spoken with the authorities to complete the bridge quickly.”
A bridge on Nabaganga: Too much to ask for?
Only two pillars have been set up in the stipulated time
The contractor has managed to put up just two pillars at the proposed site for the bridge. Photo: UNB
Narail, Sept 15 (UNB) - Although the construction of Baroipara bridge over the Nabaganga River in Kalia upazila was scheduled to be finished by June, it is now September and so far only 22 percent of the work has been completed.
The contractor has managed to put up just two pillars at the proposed site for the bridge in two years since the construction work began. The cost of the 651.83-metre bridge was fixed at Tk 65 crore.
The residents of 14 unions within the Kalia upazila are suffering immensely due to the lack of a bridge on the Nabaganga River as it cuts off the upazila from Narail district town. The movement of the locals and goods is hindered in the absence of a bridge on the river.
Amit Das, a trader from Kalia Bazar, said their suffering was immense. “We've to use a ferry to cross the river but it operates once every hour. So, we’re forced to wait with our goods to get to the market,” he said.
Syed Imtiaz Hossain Ratan, an official of the contractor agency, said the delay in construction is the result of complications about the bridge’s design.
“Already 22 percent of the construction work is finished. We are optimistic about finishing all the work within the extended timeline of one year,” he added.
Narail Roads and Highways Department Executive Engineer Md Farid Uddin said the time for the construction of a bridge over the Nabaganga River has been extended by a year, till next June.
Local MP (Narail-1 constituency) Kabirul Haq Mukti said, “Due to the negligence of the construction company (contractor), the work could not be completed within the stipulated time. I’ve spoken with the authorities to complete the bridge quickly.”