One of the 30 bridges built in Shulla upazila of Sunamganj that have not come to any use at all for absence of approach roads in the past 10 years — FE Photo SYLHET, Nov 03: A total of 30 small bridges built at a cost of Tk 90 million in the remote areas of Shulla upazila of Sunamganj are lying unused only because none of them has an approach road.
The bridges were constructed spending public money during the last 10 years for nothing but for personal benefits of the officials concerned, alleged a number of locals.
There are road alignments, close to the structures, which remain under water for months together, they said.
The bridges even become risky during monsoon when boats try to cross those.
The total expenditure of the bridges should be investigated thoroughly, the locals demanded, calling for immediate action against the people, who had managed approval for such 'unnecessary schemes'.
Of these, two in Sikhline area, one each in front of Giridhar High School, Habibpur, Anandapur, Noahati, Shashkhai, Mamudnagar, Isakpur, Kadirpur, Markuli, Gramshalla and Rupsha had been there without approach roads since the very beginning of their construction.
On average, Tk 30 lakh to Tk 33 lakh (3 million to 3.3 million) had been spent for construction of each of the bridges.
Almost all these had been of no use since after the construction, said some locals at the upazila headquarters.
Local journalist PC Das said some corrupt officials and staff were responsible for the job.
Shulla Upazial Chairman Al Amin Chowdhury said the project implementation officer had done these.
An earthen road could be repaired for Tk 2 lakh for several months' use but a culvert costs at least Tk 30 lakh, but to no use at all.
On the other hand, some of the bridges become risky for country boats during the monsoon, he added.
An official admitted that due to the remote locations, district and other high officials did not pay any visit to the sites of the projects.
That is why some of the employees in connivance with the local officials managed the sites, he added.
Even then, the district officials could not avoid responsibility, he said.
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