Work on bridge over Halda moving at snails pace

CHITTAGONG, June 06: The construction work of new Madunaghat Bridge over the river Halda involving around Tk. 140 million is proceeding at a snail's pace.

Construction work of two-third portion of the bridge is complete. But possibility of completing the remaining portion on schedule hangs in the balance, sources said.

Meanwhile sufferings of the people in moving across the old dilapidated Madunaghat Bridge have become acute. Traffic congestion has become a regular phenomenon.

The old Madunaghat Bridge was constructed in the 50s over the river Halda at Madunaghat area on the Chittagong -- Kaptai Road.

But it gradually became almost unusable due to lack of maintenance.

Big-sized cracks have developed at different parts of the bridge because of movement of heavy vehicles over the bridge.

At a stage, a big portion of one of the spans at the middle of the bridge has become unsafe.

Hundreds of vehicles and thousands of people are now crossing this old bridge at immense risk.

Roads and Highways Department (RHD) had decided to construct the new Madunaghat Bridge and tenders were invited for the purpose in 2004.

A construction firm RCPTSL began the construction work in February, 2005.

According to sources, 27 months out of the scheduled 36 months have already elapsed.

Construction of 4 out of 6 spans and 10 out of 20 girders are already complete.

But due to the prevailing slow pace of work, people are not sure it the remaining work of the new Madunaghat Bridge would be finished on schedule.