Over 50,000 suffer as two bridge projects stall in Jashore

More than 50,000 people in 15 villages of Sharsha upazila in Jashore have been suffering as construction of two bridges over the Betrabati river near Kazirber and Nishchintapur villages on the Navaron-Gorpara road remains stalled nearly four years after work began.

The bridges, were intended to improve connectivity between Navaron Bazar and Gorpara Bazar. However, incomplete construction has forced residents to take detours of four to five kilometres, disrupting transport, trade and access to essential services.

At Kazirber, locals have built a makeshift walkway using bamboo and wood over the unfinished bridge. Although pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists can cross it, the structure poses safety risks. Passengers travelling in vans and battery-run easy-bikes often have to get off before crossing.

The unfinished bridges have disrupted communication between around 15 villages in northern Sharsha and parts of neighbouring Jhikargachha upazila. Abu Abu Sufian, a resident of Kazirber village, said, trucks, pickup vans, microbuses, private cars and ambulances cannot use the route, forcing patients to travel longer distances to reach Jashore General Hospital and the upazila health complex.

Students, farmers and other commuters have also been affected. Farmers face difficulties transporting agricultural produce to local markets, while residents alleged that several people had died in accidents along the affected route.

According to locals, construction of the two bridges along the nearly 10-kilometre road began on 9 January 2022. The project, estimated to cost Tk12.24 crore, was scheduled for completion by July 2023.

ICL Private Limited was awarded the work, but construction has remained stalled for years. One bridge has been completed, but its approach road remains unfinished, while only part of the deck of the other has been cast.

Jashore-1 (Sharsha) lawmaker Muhammad Azizur Rahman told the Daily Sun that he had raised the issue in parliament last August, urging the relevant ministry to take steps to complete the bridges.

“The ministry has informed me that construction work on both bridges will resume within the next three months,” he said. The lawmaker also said the bridges had been built lower than the height specified in the approved design. Parts of the decks would have to be demolished and rebuilt several feet higher to comply with the design, he added.