New bridge lies unused due to lack of approach road

A bridge built seven months ago at Poltadanga Point of the Mathabhanga River in Chuadanga's Alamdanga upazila cannot be opened for vehicular movement due to lack of approach road on one side.

The construction of one-kilometre approach road on Poltadanga side was completed along with the bridge but the approach road on the other side at Moheshpur cannot be made as some locals are resisting acquisition of lands for it, said officials of Local Government Engineering Department (LGED).

Under the supervision of local LGED office, the bridge construction work started in April 2018 and it was completed in August 2019 with the government allocated fund of Tk 7 crore.

"But the delay in opening the bridge causes frustration among some 2 lakh people of 36 villages in Chuadanga and Meherpur, who were waiting for it for long. Especially a large number of school and college goers of the areas would be benefited if the bridge was made functional," said Farook Hossain, a high school teacher of Poltadanga village.

There is a big bazar at Poltadanga on the Mathabhanga river but people of around 13 villages on the opposite side find it difficult to come to the bazar, locals said.

"Business and economy related activities will sees a boost if the bridge is opened," Yakub Ali, general secretary of Alamdanga upazila unit of Awami League, also a resident of Poltadanga village.  

Abdur Rashid, upazila engineer of LGED in Alamdanga, said, "With the help of local political leaders, we are trying to persuade the people of Mohespur area to solve the problem."

There are allegations that a number of people of Moheshpur have built various establishments after occupying government khas lands and they are the main barrier to the acquisition of land for the approach road. 

"Interest of a large number of people cannot be ignored for a few selfish people. The administration should take quick action in this regard," said Nasir Uddin Master of Poltadanga village.

Alamdanga Upazila Nirbahi Officer Liton Ali said legal action would be taken soon against the illegal occupiers.

Contacted, lawmaker of Chuadanga-1 Solaiman Haque Joordar Selun said he has instructed the local administration to take proper steps in this regard.