Delayed Sunamganj bridge project faces new setback as girders collapse

Five girders of the under-construction 750-metre-long Shah Arefin (RA)-Advaita Mahaprabhu Maitree Bridge over the Jadukata river in Tahirpur upazila of Sunamganj collapsed into the river recently, raising fresh concerns over the quality of construction work and alleged illegal sand extraction near the site.
The girders installed on pillars 3 and 4 on the eastern side of the bridge collapsed on 18 May, locals said. Earlier in 2022, two girders on the same side had also collapsed into the river.
The bridge, being constructed in the Binnakuli-Gorkati area, was launched in 2018 by Toma Construction at a cost of Tk86 crore with a three-year completion target. Following several revisions, the project cost rose to Tk129 crore. Although the bridge was scheduled for completion in June 2021, the work remains unfinished even after eight years.
According to project sources, all pillars of the bridge were completed around six months ago. Of the planned 15 spans and 75 girders, 12 spans and 60 girders have so far been installed, while work on the remaining three spans and 20 girders is still pending.
Local residents alleged that illegal sand extraction using dredgers and shaver machines near the bridge weakened the riverbank and contributed to the collapse. They also blamed poor-quality construction work and negligence by the contractor company.
Nazim Mia, a resident of the area, said people had high hopes for the bridge, which was expected to improve communication and economic activities in the region. “Now people are afraid the bridge may collapse again even after completion,” he said.
Hakiqul Islam, general secretary of the River Jadukata Sand Stone Cooperative Society in Ghagra village, alleged that illegal dredging operations near the bridge site had weakened the structure.
Badaghat Union Parishad Chairman Nizam Uddin alleged that rods and fittings supporting the girders were removed recently after a new tender process began, which may have contributed to the collapse.
Former Badaghat Union chairman Rakhab Uddin claimed the contractor had been carrying out poor-quality work since the beginning and demanded action against the construction company.
Meanwhile, Tahirpur Upazila Engineer Zahidul Islam said an investigation committee had been formed to determine the cause of the collapse.