United News of Bangladesh

A bridge built at a cost of nearly Tk 3 crore to improve communication between two upazilas in Patuakhali has remained largely unusable for the past six years due to the absence of connecting roads, forcing thousands of residents to risk their lives every day. The 24-metre-long reinforced-concrete girder bridge spans the Banshbaria-Bogi canal on the border between Dashmina and Bauphal upazilas. Although the main structure was completed years ago, work on the approach roads stopped after design flaws were detected during construction. As a result, a vital transport link has become a daily struggle for people from at least 11 villages. During a recent visit, this correspondent found no permanent connecting roads on either side of the bridge. Instead, local residents have built makeshift brick steps to climb the nearly 20-foot-high bridge, while others rely on narrow bamboo walkways to cross the canal. Women, schoolchildren, elderly people and farmers use these temporary arrangements every day despite the obvious safety risks. According to the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), the bridge was constructed during the 2019-20 fiscal year at an estimated cost of Tk 2,82,10, 506. The project was implemented by M/s Abul Kalam Azad Enterprise of Patuakhali and was scheduled for completion by the end of 2020. However, construction of the connecting roads was halted after flaws were identified in the original design. Local resident Md Abdul Hai said the bridge had been designed without consulting local people. "After the bridge was completed, flaws were discovered while constructing the connecting roads. Six years have passed, but no work has resumed. A bridge built with crores of taka is of no benefit to us," he said. Another resident Mashiur Rahman Labu said thousands of people suffer every day while crossing the bridge. "It is especially dangerous for women, children, students and elderly people. Several accidents have already happened, yet there is still no permanent solution," he said. The unfinished project has also affected local livelihoods.