SYLHET, June 26: The formal procedure of constructing three bridges over the Kushiyara and Surma rivers is moving at a snail's pace.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina while addressing a rally on October 10, 2010 at Tahirpur upazila headquarters announced a commitment to construct the bridges to ease road communication in Sunamganj and its neighbouring districts.
Sources said inhabitants of a large area in Sunamganj and its neighbouring Netrokona and Habiganj districts are facing serious trouble due to absence of the bridges.
These include bridge over the Kushiyara river at Markuli and two bridges over the Surma river - one at Sachna Bazar and another one at Selimganj Bazar area.
A number of locals said inhabitants of Derai, Shulla and Jamalganj upazilas of Sunamganj and Khaliajuri of Netrokona would be benefited through link with the capital if a bridge will be built at Markuli.
It would also change the haor region's rural network, they added.
Besides, it would create a better road link with Dhaka from Derai, Markuli-Baniachang, said Tarun Kanti Dass, assistant professor of Shulla College adding it would reduce three-hour journey with the capital.
On the other hand, Sunamganj-Jamalganj-Dharmapasha-Netrokona road link is being delayed due to absence of bridges over the Surma at Sachna Bazar and at Selimganj.
It would also help another link with the capital though Netrakona reducing distance of Sunamganj, Jamalganj, Dharmapasha, Tahirpur and Biswambharpur upazilas.
An LGED official said detail survey on the three bridges is going on.
On completion of that separate design for the schemes would be prepared, he said, adding, "We will call for tender soon."
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