Dhaka: A bridge built at a cost of nearly Tk 3 crore to improve communication between two upazilas in Patuakhali has remained largely unusable for the past six years due to the absence of connecting roads, forcing thousands of residents to risk their lives every day. The 24-metre-long reinforced-concrete girder bridge spans the Banshbaria-Bogi canal on the border between Dashmina and Bauphal upazilas.

According to United News of Bangladesh, although the main structure was completed years ago, work on the approach roads stopped after design flaws were detected during construction. As a result, a vital transport link has become a daily struggle for people from at least 11 villages. During a recent visit, this correspondent found no permanent connecting roads on either side of the bridge. Instead, local residents have built makeshift brick steps to climb the nearly 20-foot-high bridge, while others rely on narrow bamboo walkways to cross the canal.

Women, schoolchildren, elderly people, and farmers use these temporary arrangements every day despite the obvious safety risks. The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) disclosed that the bridge was constructed during the 2019-20 fiscal year at an estimated cost of Tk 2,82,10,506. The project was implemented by M/s Abul Kalam Azad Enterprise of Patuakhali and was scheduled for completion by the end of 2020. However, construction of the connecting roads was halted after flaws were identified in the original design.

Local resident Md Abdul Hai mentioned that the bridge had been designed without consulting local people. “After the bridge was completed, flaws were discovered while constructing the connecting roads. Six years have passed, but no work has resumed. A bridge built with crores of taka is of no benefit to us,” he said. Another resident, Mashiur Rahman Labu, expressed concerns over the daily suffering of thousands of people while crossing the bridge. “It is especially dangerous for women, children, students, and elderly people. Several accidents have already happened, yet there is still no permanent solution,” he said.

The unfinished project has also affected local livelihoods. Farmer Sohrab Mia explained that he now has to travel nearly 30 kilometres to reach Kalaiya Dakkhin Bazar via another road to buy farming supplies because vehicles cannot use the bridge. “Our transport costs have increased so much that we often make losses instead of profits,” he said. Students are among those facing the greatest hardship. Tusher Kanti Ghosh, headmaster of Karpurkathi Islamia Secondary School, stated that hundreds of students from secondary and primary schools, as well as a madrasah, depend on the bridge. “They have to climb brick steps and cross bamboo walkways every day. Minor and major accidents happen frequently,” he said. The teacher added that many parents are reluctant to send their children to school due to safety concerns, which leads to lower attendance.

LGED officials communicated that a revised design has already been prepared and approved following the discovery of the earlier design flaws. Dashmina Upazila LGED Engineer Md Mokbul Hossain noted that the original design had been completed before he joined the office. “After the flaws were identified, work on the connecting roads had to be stopped. The new design has been approved, and construction will begin once the tender process is completed,” he said. Dashmina Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mahmud Hassan Mridha indicated that the administration is aware of the suffering faced by local people. “We have discussed the matter with LGED, and they have assured us that work on the connecting roads will begin soon,” he said.

For local residents, however, the wait has already stretched to six years. They now hope construction will finally begin, turning the costly bridge into a transport link and easing their suffering.