Lack of approach roads leaves Cox's Bazar bridge unusable for 5 years

OUR CORRESPONDENTS

Despite spending millions on bridge infrastructure, Bangladesh continues to face stark contrasts in connectivity, with a Tk 130 million bridge in Cox's Bazar lying unusable for five years due to a lack of approach roads, while the government has begun feasibility studies for a new bridge over the Jamuna River to strengthen links between northern and central regions.

Our Cox's Bazar correspondent reports, a bridge constructed over the Eidgaon canal in Cox's Bazar at a cost of nearly Tk 130 million has been remaining unusable for the last five years due to the absence of connecting roads on both sides. As a result, local residents are being forced to cross the bridge by climbing ladders, putting their lives at serious risk. Concerns have particularly grown over the safety of schoolchildren and ordinary commuters.

Funded by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), the bridge was built in the Gazalia area of Eidgaon Upazila. The 90-meters long and 13-meters wide infrastructure was planned as part of a road linking Eidgaon Upazila with the hilly region of Eidgar in Ramu.

Locals believe the bridge would significantly improve communication between Eidgar, Baishari, Garjania, and Eidgaon Upazila once opened and this alternative route could help reduce incidents of robbery and abduction that frequently occur on the existing road. They allege that negligence by the authorities concerned and irregularities by the contractor are mainly responsible for the prolonged delay in making the bridge operational.

Islamabad Union Parishad Chairman (acting) Nurul Islam, said, "Opening the bridge has become a vital public demand. Immediate intervention from the authorities is needed to construct the approach roads on both sides."

Local Union Parishad member Zubaid Ullah Jewel stated that although the bridge construction was completed five years ago, complications arose over the privately owned land required for the western approach road. He also mentioned that after the political changes on August 5, 2024, the contractor went into hiding, creating further uncertainty regarding the completion of the works.

Eidgaon LGED Upazila Engineer Al Muin Shahriar, said, "Since the approach road work on both sides was not completed within the stipulated timeframe, the previous tender was cancelled following legal procedures. The process of inviting a new tender for the remaining work is now underway. Once the process is completed,

work will begin quickly with the cooperation of local residents."

Our Gaibandha correspondent adds, the government started feasibility studies for a new bridge over the Jamuna River and the proposed routes include the Bogra-Jamalpur corridor in Gaibandha's Phulchhari, from Balasighat in Gaibandha to Bahadurabadghat in Jamalpur, and several other alternative locations.

Locals say, if the bridge is built from Balasighat in Gaibandha to Bahadurabad Ghat, the district's distance with Dhaka will be reduced by 80 kilometers and the time required for travel will be reduced by three hours.

The construction of the bridge, part of the election pledge of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, has been targeted to reach completion by 2033.

If this bridge is built, traffic congestion on the Dhaka-Rangpur highway will be reduced, agricultural products will be transported faster, and the pressure on the current bridge built over the Jamuna will also be reduced.

Gaibandha Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Masudur Rahman Molla said if a bridge can be built through Balasighat in Gaibandha district, the communication with Dhaka and other districts will improve well with the northern region. "The construction of this bridge is a groundbreaking and essential step," he added.

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