Photo: TDM
Construction of a bridge over Magra River in Netrakona's Atpara upazila has been halted for two years, causing immense suffering to people of at least 20 nearby villages. The bridge was scheduled to be completed within a year of commissioning the project to contractor ‘Talukdar Nirman’ in February 2020, with a budget of 7 crore 14 lakh 94 thousand 778 taka. However, as of now, only 35 percent of the construction work has been finished.
During the rainy season, villagers are forced to travel by boat, while they have to make the journey on foot during the dry season. This poses a constant threat to their lives, and several people have already fallen victim to accidents. Moreover, students and locals who need to travel to the district via Atpara upazila and Setu Bazar on the Paharpur-Mangalsidh road are also adversely affected due to the absence of the bridge.
During an inspection of the under-construction bridge on the Magra River near Paharpur Bazar, it was discovered that no construction work was taking place. Four pillars had been erected in the river, with rods sticking out of them, but there were no signs indicating that the bridge was under construction. The absence of any contractors or workers was also noted.
Residents of the area, including Rahidul Islam, a college student from Kamtala village, Sabuj Mia, a farmer, Biltu Mia of Bishnupur, Jalil Mia of Paharpur, Ripon Mia, and Saiful Mia, a market trader, expressed their anger at the situation.
They claimed that the contractor had stopped construction over two years ago, and despite their protests during the construction of the pillars, no progress had been made since then.
When contacted, the owner of the contracting company Salim Talukder attributed the delay to the increase in the price of construction materials due to the pandemic. However, he mentioned that an application for an extension of time has been made, and work will resume after the monsoon season.
Atpara upazila Engineer Al Mutasim Billah said that several warning letters have been issued, and legal action will be taken if necessary. The suffering of the people in the region due to the lack of a bridge remains a significant concern.
TDM/MI
