A bridge built at a cost of nearly Tk34 crore in Manikganj has remained unusable for four years due to the absence of approach roads, leaving residents of at least 30 villages deprived of its benefits and forcing them to continue crossing the river by ferry.
The bridge was constructed by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) over the Kaliganga River on the Alhaj Kazi Golam Hossain Road in the Baikunthapur area of Shingzuri Union under Gior Upazila.
Locals alleged that despite the completion of the bridge several years ago, the lack of connecting roads on both sides has rendered the structure ineffective, causing prolonged suffering for residents living on both banks of the river.
Residents said the road would significantly improve regional connectivity once opened.
They said the distance between Manikganj district and the Jamuna Bridge connecting road would be reduced to around 90 kilometres, while the distance between Gior Upazila and Manikganj Sadar would come down to nearly 11 kilometres.
The route between Manikganj and Daulatpur Upazila would also shrink to around 16 kilometres, easing communication and reducing travel time, they added.
Demanding the immediate opening of the bridge, local residents formed a human chain on the western side of the bridge on 8 May.
People from different professions, including students, farmers, traders and women, joined the programme.
The human chain was chaired by Shingzuri Union BNP President Abdul Kader Mia.
Among others present were union BNP vice president and former UP member Aktar Hossain Mondal and Joint Secretary Md Rafiqul Islam Rafiq alongside local dignitaries.
Speakers at the programme expressed frustration over the prolonged delay in making the bridge operational.
“Although the bridge construction was completed four years ago, we still have to cross the river by ferry boats,” they said.
They added that ferry services stop after evening, causing severe hardship during emergencies.
The speakers said students, farmers, traders and ordinary people would benefit greatly if the bridge was opened to traffic.
They also said the bridge would strengthen communication with Tangail district and boost local connectivity.
The residents urged authorities to immediately dump soil and construct the approach roads on both sides of the bridge to make it operational.
They also called for urgent intervention from the local lawmaker and relevant authorities.
Responding to the issue, LGED Manikganj Executive Engineer SM Lutfor Rahman said Tk11 crore had been allocated for the construction of nearly 600 metres of approach roads to facilitate traffic movement over the bridge.
He said the contractor appointment process had already been completed and the road would be filled with sand before carpeting work begins.
“The upazila engineer has already been instructed. We hope the work will begin by Sunday or Monday,” he said.
Manikganj-1 lawmaker SA Jinnah Kabir said the matter had been given importance as part of the government’s public welfare initiatives.
He said the concerned engineers and the upazila executive officer had already been instructed to take necessary steps to complete the approach roads and make the bridge operational as quickly as possible.
