Bridge over Titas remains unfinished after six years, commuters suffer

Construction of a bridge over the River Titas in Akhaura upazila of Brahmanbaria has remained incomplete more than six years after work began, triggering severe transport and communication hazards for thousands of residents from nearby villages.

The contractor has already secured four deadline extensions and has now sought a fifth, while work on the project has remained suspended for a prolonged period.

The 208-metre bridge, being built in Krishnanagar village under Dharkhar union, was launched in October 2020 at an estimated cost of Tk19 crore under the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED). The project was originally scheduled for completion by March 2023.

Residents of Krishnanagar, Bhabanipur, Bangajo, Barishal and nearby villages said the unfinished bridge has forced them to cross the river by boat every day, putting students, patients and commuters at risk. Boat services also stop after evening, effectively isolating the area.

A visit to the site found that the 40-metre central span has yet to be installed, while the bridge deck and approach roads on both sides also remain incomplete.

According to LGED officials, contractor M/S Hasan Enterprise has extended the completion deadline four times and recently applied for another extension.

Md Khairul Hasan, owner of the contracting firm, blamed delays on complications related to land acquisition and clearance from the Water Development Board.

Abdul Mannan, executive engineer of LGED, said around 70% of the work has been completed.

"The project has remained stalled for a long time due to the contractor's shortage of manpower and construction materials. We have issued a final notice directing the contractor to resume work immediately. If the project is not completed within the stipulated timeframe, necessary action will be taken," he said.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Taposi Rabeya said the upazila administration had recommended blacklisting the contractor over repeated delays and had informed the ministry about the prolonged public suffering and urging steps to complete the bridge as quickly as possible.