Uncertainty has arisen in the construction of the bridge connection road due to the complexity of land acquisition.
A bridge was constructed over Kaliganga river in Baikunthapur area of Ghior upazila of Manikganj two years ago. But the bridge built at a cost of Tk 34.5 crore is not working as there is no connection road (approach) on both sides of the bridge for a long time due to land acquisition complications. People of at least 30 villages on both sides of the bridge are suffering.
Uncertainty has arisen in the construction of the bridge connection road due to the complexity of land acquisition. In this situation, people of at least 30 villages on both sides are crossing the river at risk. If this bridge is opened, the communication system of the district headquarters with the upazila headquarters of Ghior and the surrounding areas will be easy. There will be a radical change in the communication system in this agricultural region.
It was seen on the ground last Thursday that the people on the eastern side of the bridge are suffering from the traffic in Ghior Upazila Sadar and surrounding areas and the people on the western side are suffering in traveling to the district headquarters and surrounding areas due to the lack of construction of the connecting road. Small vehicles including rickshaws, vans, motorcycles are crossing the road. Apart from this, people from both sides are crossing the river by boat after walking a long way and spending money.
Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) of Gheor and local sources have informed that for a long time the local residents have been demanding the construction of a bridge over the Kaliganga River in the Baikunthapur area of Singjuri Union of the upazila. In view of this, the LGED authority took the initiative to build a bridge there. The construction work of the 365 meter long bridge started by calling for tenders in 2018.
Two contractors named Orient Trading and Builders and M/s Kohinoor Enterprises jointly got the job of constructing the bridge. A total expenditure of Tk 34 lakh 60 thousand 35 thousand including Tk 29 crore for bridge construction and Tk 5 crore 60 lakh 35 thousand for connecting road on both sides is fixed.
The construction of the bridge was supposed to be completed in June 2022 along with the connecting road at both ends. However, even though the work of the bridge was completed during that period, the connecting road on both sides was not constructed even after two years. The connection road could not be built due to the complications related to land acquisition on both sides. 4.96 percent of land will be acquired for the construction of two 630-meter connecting roads. The duration of the bridge construction project for the construction of the link road has been extended till December this year.
An owner of the land, on condition of anonymity, said that although the deadline for the implementation of the project and the allocation of funds have been extended, they have not received the money for land acquisition. And they don’t want to let them work on the land to avoid complications due to not getting money.
As the bridge cannot be used, the people on both sides have to move with suffering. In this, at least 30 villages and districts including East Uthli, Baikunthpur, Nakibbari, Sarabghat, Char Maizkhara, Dolapara, Char Bilnalai and Baliabadha, Ariyadah, Bailtala, Mirzapur, Beradanga, Shimulia, Atgharia, Kerannagar, Natuabari, Ashapur on the west side of the bridge. He suffered in the journey to the headquarters.
The manager of the contracting company engaged in bridge construction. Masud Khan said that the LGED authority has been informed in writing for the acquisition of the land of the connecting road on both sides. But the acquisition has not yet been completed. Because of this, the connecting road cannot be constructed.
When asked about the acquisition of land, the Revenue Deputy Collector (RDC) of the newly joined district L Ahsanul Haque advised to speak to the Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land).
Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Noorjahan Akhtar was contacted on the phone and he suggested contacting the LA branch of the district administration. After trying to contact in this regard, information about the acquisition was not available.
However, Upazila Engineer Mohammad Ashraful Islam Bhuiyan said that the matter of devolution is at the final stage. The work of the link road can be completed within the next four to five months.