Kopotakkho River bridge work stalls for 19 months

BENAPOLE , Apr 07: Construction of the Khersha-Shalikhah Bridge over the Kopotakkho River in Tala upazila of Satkhira district has remained suspended for more than 19 months following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5 ,2024.
Locals said the construction work of the bridge came to a halt as the contractor allegedly fled the site without completing the work, raising concern over its future.
The situation has sparked anger among local residents, who are demanding immediate completion of the bridge to ease their sufferings.
According to sources, the bridge connects Khersha union of Tala upazila in Satkhira with Ladhuli union of Paikgachha upazila in Khulna District.
Hundreds of thousands of people in these remote areas depend on this route for daily movement.
For the past several years, locals have been crossing the river using a fragile bamboo bridge, risking their lives. Responding to long-standing public demand, the project was inaugurated on November 24, 2021, under the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED).
The project includes construction of an 80-metre bridge and a 44-metre viaduct at a cost of Tk 118 million (Tk11.8 crore).
Officials at the Paikgachha LGED office said the contract was awarded to Jiaul Traders, a Khulna-based construction firm.
Initial phases of work-including land acquisition, pillar construction, and base casting-had progressed to some extent.
However, after the August 5 government changeover, the contractor allegedly abandoned the project overnight, removing machinery from the site.
A recent visit found four incomplete pillars standing on both sides of the river, along with scattered sand and stone chips.
Local residents, including Rafiqul Islam and Bidhan Chandra of Katipara village, said they had high hopes that the bridge would boost the region's socio-economic development and improve communication. But the sudden halt in construction has left them frustrated.
Nur Islam, an easy-bike driver from Ladhuli village, said, "In this day and age, if we still have to cross such a large river using a bamboo bridge, it shows how underdeveloped our region remains."
Abul Hossain, speaking on behalf of the contractor, claimed that workers left after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, and did not return due to unpaid wages.
He also cited complications in bill clearance at the local LGED office, adding that work could resume once the issues are resolved.
Upazila Engineer Md Shafin Shoaib said several notices had been served to the contractor to resume work, but to no avail. "We have recommended cancellation of the contract. If the contractor fails to continue, a fresh tender will be floated," he said.
Paikgachha Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) said he was aware of the matter and would take necessary steps in consultation with LGED officials to restart construction as soon as possible.
Tala Upazila's newly-appointed UNO, Hosneara Bagum, said she was not yet aware of the issue but would look into it and coordinate with the relevant authorities shortly.

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