LALMONIRHAT, May 11: A bridge over Rotnairiver, which is supposed to connect two villages of Sadar upazila in the district, has been lying unused for more than five years as the approach roads on both sides of it are yet to be built.
The 120-metre-long and 8-metre-wide bridge was built in 2016 by the Local Government and Engineering Department (LGED), according to locals.
The villagers of Megharam and Purbo Durakuti cheered when their long-cherished bridge was constructed but their joys faded away soon, they added.
They alleged that the bridge means nothing to them now as it remains unused.
Villager Aynal Haque, 62, said, "It is difficult to cross the river on small boats with agricultural products. We have to face enormous problems particularly during the rainy season."
Saidur Rahaman, a rickshaw-van puller of Durakuti village, said that he has to move nearly six kilometres more to reach Durakutihaat.
"Had the bridge been usable, it would have reduced around four kilometres of path," he pointed out.
Durakuti is famous for its age-old haat (a weekly market) where cattle and goats are sold. Many people come here from distant areas and if the bridge becomes operational, it will generate more economic opportunities, he added.
Chairman of Mogolhat union, Habibur Rahaman, said, "We've requested the executive engineer several times to start constructing the connecting roads but all our calls have gone in vain."
When contacted, LGED executive engineer Qader Elahi said that the main structure of the bridge had been completed some months ago but the approach roads could not be finished yet.
"We are trying our level best to make the bridge functional as soon as possible", he added.
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