<i>33-foot-long bridge over 3-foot dead canal!</i>
Virtually useless, this 33-foot-long bridge built across a three-foot-wide dead canal at Pantapara village in Jhenidah Sadar upazila also occupies part of villager Sanjer Ali's homestead.Photo: STAR
Jhenidah Sadar upazila project implementation office has constricted a 33-foot-long bridge across a three-foot-wide dead canal at Pantapara village in the upazila, much to the surprise of locals. With hardly any utilitarian value, the bridge built at a cost of Tk 18 lakh four thousand has gone up to a villager's compound, causing damage to it. Visiting the spot recently, this correspondent saw a plaque dated February 18, 2010 heralding inauguration by Sadar upazila Chairman Kanak Kanti Das. Due to the construction work, large cracks have developed on both sides of the bridge on the non-metalled road from Sadhuhati to Harinakundo. Now the authorities concerned have started excavation to widen the canal apparently to befool the people although there is no water in the dead canal. "The bridge, which is much bigger than the breadth of the canal, has come up to my house,” said villager Farid. "Ruling party men profit from construction of such unnecessary bridge," said an elderly villager wishing anonymity. Jhenidah Sadar upazila Project Implementation Officer Ahadi Hossain said, "A proposal for construction of a bridge across the canal at Pantapara village reached my office from upazila development committee. Accordingly, this 33-foot bridge has been built at a cost of Tk 18,03,955 under the bridge and culvert construction programme of relief and rehabilitation department." Asked whether the bridge was necessary at the place, he said political leaders' opinion is preferred in case of site selection.
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