Time runs out, bridge remains unfinished

A 748-meter-long bridge is under construction over the Shibsa River at a cost of Tk 120 crore. Once opened, the bridge will make travel to Khulna city easier for people in Paikgachha as well as Koyra, Dacope, Batiaghata and Terokhada. Residents of Assasuni upazila in Satkhira will also benefit. For this reason, they are eagerly waiting for the bridge to open.

According to the original agreement, the construction was scheduled to be completed in September this year. However, only 76 percent of the work has been completed so far. The process of extending the contract by another six months is already underway. Project officials are aiming to complete construction of the bridge by the end of this year.

The bridge is located at chainage 2,300 meters of the Paikgachha GC Laskar Bazar, Baintala, Bogurar Chak, Shurikhali, Bhandarpol and Gilabari GC Road in Karulia area of Paikgachha upazila in Khulna. The bridge is being constructed over the Shibsa River in Karulia village of Laskar and Garaikhali unions under the Rural Roads project (CIBRR). It is 9.8 meters wide. National Development Engineering Limited (NDE) began construction in September 2023.

Local residents Shahidul Islam and businessman Shahin Goldar said they have to take a long route to travel to Khulna for medical treatment and emergencies. The limitations of the existing Shibsa River crossing system and the detour through the Shibbati Bridge increase both travel time and costs. They said the new bridge would reduce this hardship once it opens.

Businessman Solaiman Gazi said if the bridge opens soon, fish from shrimp farms as well as various agricultural and commercial products can be transported to Khulna more easily. This would also boost local business and trade.

However, local residents have also raised some complaints regarding the construction work. Laskar Union Parishad Acting Chairman Jahangir Alam alleged, “The rural roads are being damaged because of the movement of heavy trucks carrying construction materials for the bridge. The access road to Baintala Bazar becomes unusable even after a little rain.”

Some local residents have also objected to the location of the connecting road. They alleged that residents of Laskar Union may be deprived of the expected benefits of the bridge because the connecting road is being built toward Garaikhali instead of Gilabari.

Some local residents fear that the fourth bridge in Paikgachha could cause silt to accumulate in the Shibsa River and reduce its navigability. This could increase the risk of waterlogging or flooding in the future. However, no technical study data supporting this concern was found.

Project officials said all 240 piles of the bridge have been completed. Documents for the acquisition of about 2.71 acres of land on both sides of the river have been sent to the District Administration office. The land has also been inspected.

Project Manager Saheb Ali said, “About 76 percent of the bridge construction has been completed. The work is progressing rapidly. We aim to complete the work by the end of this year.”

Upazila Engineer Shafin Soheb and Sub Assistant Engineer Sajal Biswas said efforts are underway to complete the work within the scheduled time. There are also plans to construct a roundabout at the three-road intersection on the Laskar side to facilitate vehicle movement.

Paikgachha Upazila Nirbahi Officer Wasiuzzaman Chowdhury said the bridge would make communication easier for people in several upazilas. He expressed hope that construction would be completed within the scheduled time and the bridge would then be opened to the public.

Local residents expect that along with expediting construction, the authorities will also give due attention to repairing the access roads damaged by heavy vehicles and addressing the concerns raised by local residents. According to them, completing the bridge alone will not ensure the benefits of the project. The new transportation system will serve people only if there are safe and functional connecting roads.