CHANDPUR, Jan 08: A bridge built over Sundari canal in Kochua Upazila of the district has not had approach roads on its two ends yet despite its construction long before, much to the sufferings of the local residents.
The authorities constructed the bridge in order to mitigate sufferings of several thousand residents of ten villages; but the people have been suffering much as the bridge is not coming to any use for the absence of the approach roads.
The bridge built at a cost of Tk6.8 million (Tk 68 lakh), is located in between the roads of Palakhal Union's Boxoganj and Prosonnocup village in Paschim Shohodevpur union of Kochua Upazila.
Villagers told the FE that the bridge had been constructed about one year ago but no approach roads have been built yet.
That is why thousands of men, women and children of the ten villages have to suffer a lot as they cannot use their long-desired bridge.
However, to make the canal crossing possible for the time being, some locals have placed a bamboo and wooden ladder there which the people have to use amid risks of accident.
Former union parishad member Golam Mostafa, locals Shah Poran, Mohiuddin, Shahabuddin and a few others told the FE that hundreds of people of two neighbouring unions -Palakhal and Shahodevpur- have been using this bridge amid difficulties for want of approach roads and retention walls.
Contacted, Upazila Project Implementation Officer (PIO) of the Roads and Highways Md Rakibul Islam told the FE, "After water of the Sundori canal recedes, work of the approach roads and wing walls will be started."
Despite repeated phone calls, Upazila Engineer Abdul Alim Lytton could not be reached.
Residents of the area said they are eagerly waiting to see quick construction of the approach roads and wing walls.
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