A Tk7.29 crore girder bridge, constructed over the Mathabhanga River in Gangni Upazila of Meherpur, has been left useless for the past four years.
The bridge, completed in 2020 as part of an infrastructure project, remains non-functional due to the lack of a crucial approach road. This delay in constructing the road has made the bridge, which was expected to improve local connectivity, redundant and unusable.
The bridge was intended to connect Bhamandi HD to Pragpur GC via Madhugari ghat, thereby enhancing accessibility for both Meherpur and Kushtia districts.
It was designed to alleviate traffic congestion, provide an alternative to the boat transportation previously used by locals, and reduce travel time between the two areas. However, without the approach road, the bridge serves no functional purpose.
The delay in the construction of the approach road is due to unresolved land acquisition issues. While many residents have expressed their willingness to provide land for the road, provided they receive fair compensation, the issue has yet to be resolved.
The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) has passed the matter to the District Administration, but progress remains slow. Although some progress has been made on the Daulatpur side, the Gangni side of the road construction is still stalled, leaving the bridge inoperable.
As a result of the delay, residents are forced to take a 9-kilometer detour to access vital services and travel between the two districts. This detour has become a significant inconvenience, especially for those relying on the bridge for essential services such as healthcare, education, and trade. Local residents, including students, traders, and farmers, have voiced their frustration over the lack of progress.
Toma Khatun, a college student from Daulatpur, expressed her disappointment, saying, “Students from both sides of the river rely on the bridge to attend school, but there is no road on our side. The road was completed on the other side, but we still can’t reach the bridge.”
Similarly, Jahidul Islam, a cattle trader from Darerpara village, shared his struggles. “I used to use boats to cross the river, but after the bridge was built, the boats stopped. Now I have to travel nine kilometers extra to reach Gangni, which has become a significant inconvenience for my business.”
Farmers are also feeling the impact of the incomplete road. Liton Hossain, a farmer from Hardavanga village, noted, “I own nearly 12 bighas of land on both sides of the river. Before, I used boats for transportation, but now I have to make a long detour, which increases both costs and effort.”
Despite these challenges, locals remain hopeful that the road will eventually be constructed, improving transportation and raising the value of their land.
Naharul Islam, a vegetable trader with land near the bridge, stated, “Once the road is built, it will make transportation easier and increase the value of my land. I have no objections to providing land for the road if I’m paid fairly.”
The initial excitement surrounding the bridge project has now turned into frustration and disappointment. Residents like Yakub Ali of Betbaria village, who were once eager for the bridge’s completion, have expressed their dismay. “When we first heard about the bridge, we were excited, but now there is no road, and that excitement has turned into disappointment.”
For farmers like Sajib Hossain, the lack of an approach road has created significant disruptions in their daily lives. “The bridge is here, but without the road, it’s causing us great trouble,” he explained.
As the local authorities continue to navigate the challenges of land acquisition, the bridge and its associated road project remain stuck in limbo. However, once completed, the bridge and its approach road have the potential to transform the region, benefiting both local residents and businesses. Until then, the bridge remains a symbol of unrealised potential, serving as a stark reminder of the importance of infrastructure planning and timely execution.
