Bridge without approach road

The newly constructed concrete bridge over Dola Nala canal in Bahagli union under Kishoreganj upazila of the district is lying unused for more than a year as it does not have approach road on either side, causing immense suffering to the people of surrounding villages.

The Ministry of Relief and Disaster Management built the bridge in early 2015-2016 fiscal year under the rural bridge construction programme at a cost of Tk 28 lakh with the upazila project implementation officer (PIO) as the monitoring authority.

On a visit to the site on Sunday, this correspondent saw the 28-foot long bridge surrounded by paddy fields. People were walking across the dried up canal bed under the bridge.

Bahagli Union Parishad (UP) Chairman Ataur Rahman Shah said, “It is the easiest way to go to upazila headquarters and adjacent Taraganj upazila town for about 10,000 people of Nayankhal, Peerpara, Dangi, Pagoltari, Hazipara, Majapara, Telipara and Nauapara villages.”

Hundreds of students have to cross the canal to go to Nayankhal School and College, Khalisha School and College and Mahbubia Dakhil Madrasa, he said, adding that many students, especially girls, do not attend classes in the rainy season.

Abdul Mannan, a trader of Nayankhal village market, said, “We can't carry our goods to nearby markets using rickshaw vans or light vehicles and are deprived of getting proper profit as using the alternate way is time consuming and adds to the expenditure.”

Mishu Aktar, a Class X student of Khalisha School and College, said, “Before the concrete bridge was built, villagers used a bamboo bridge, which is no longer there. We face difficulties in attending classes, especially in the rainy season.”

Kishoreganj Upazila Chairman Rashidul Islam said he had raised the issue in upazila co-ordination committee meetings several times, requesting construction of approach roads.

Project Implementation Officer (PIO) of Kishoreganj Mofakhkharul Islam said construction of approach road was included in the project design of the bridge, but the previous PIO released the money in favour of the contractor before completion of the work.

“I directed the contractor several times to complete the work, but he did not. If he disobeys this time, his deposit money will be forfeited and we will use it to construct the approach road.”