Two bridges built at a cost of around Tk30 crore at key entry points to Gaibandha town have remained unused for nearly two years because approach roads have yet to be constructed.
Although construction was completed in June 2024, the bridges could not be opened to traffic as land acquisition for the connecting roads remains incomplete. Thousands of commuters are consequently forced to use old, narrow and risky bridges every day.
According to the Gaibandha Roads and Highways Department, the two bridges were constructed to ease congestion in the district town and provide alternatives to the ageing and hazardous structures.
The 76-metre Ghaghat-2 Bridge was built over the Ghaghat River in the New Bridge area on the Gaibandha-Sundarganj road. The other, the 90-metre Alai Bridge, was constructed in the Pulbandi area on the Gaibandha-Balashighat road.
Construction began in late 2022 and was completed in June 2024 at a total cost of around Tk30 crore.
However, the bridges have remained inaccessible because the authorities have yet to acquire the land required to build approach roads at both ends. Vehicles are therefore unable to use the newly completed structures.
Residents alleged that the bridges could deteriorate due to prolonged disuse, while continued dependence on the old bridges was creating serious safety risks. They fear the ageing structures could cause a major accident at any time.
During a visit, this correspondent found that the Alai Bridge had been built over the Alai River in Gaibandha municipality. The route provides the main connection between Fulchhari and the district town.
An old, narrow and dilapidated bridge beside the new structure is still being used daily by thousands of pedestrians and numerous vehicles. Despite the substantial investment, the new bridge remains unusable solely because it has no approach roads.
A similar situation was found in the New Bridge area, where pedestrians and vehicles travelling between Gaibandha town and Sundarganj Upazila continue to use an old bridge beside the newly built structure over the Ghaghat River.
Although construction of the new bridge has been completed, it cannot be opened because of the absence of connecting roads. As a result, vehicles from the two upazilas often become stuck at the entrance to the district town, causing severe congestion and hardship for residents.
Humayun Mia, an autorickshaw driver in Gaibandha town, said vehicles were being driven across the old bridge in the New Bridge Road area despite the risks because the new bridge remained closed.
“The new bridge should be opened before a major accident occurs,” he said.
Truck driver Ashraful Alam said the bridges in the New Bridge and Pulbandi areas were facing deterioration and security risks because they had remained unused for a long time.
He also feared that the old bridges could cause a serious accident at any moment.
“The new bridge is right in front of us, but we cannot use it. People still have to travel across the old, damaged bridge,” said Shahriar, a resident of Pulbandi.
He also warned that the old bridges could lead to a major accident at any time.
Piyas Kumar Sen, executive engineer of the Gaibandha Roads and Highways Department, said work on the approach roads had been held up by complications over land acquisition, although construction of the bridges had been completed.
Efforts were under way to resolve the issue and complete the remaining work quickly, he added.
However, no one could say when the two bridges would finally be opened to traffic.
