Bridge work stalled as fund stuck
Work on the under-construction Sheikh Russel Bridge over the Shibbaria River at Mohipur-Alipur point of Patuakhali-Kuakata road has remained stalled the halfway due to non-release of funds by the authorities concerned.Photo: STAR
Construction work of Sheikh Russel Bridge at Mohipur-Alipur point on Patuakhali-Kuakata Road has stopped as the authorities are yet to release Tk 9.60 crore for acquisition of land for its approach road. The bridge was scheduled to be completed by October 5 but the work came to a standstill on completion of 60 percent of the project. However, work on two other bridges on the same road is continuing unhindered. The Awami League-led government took up a plan for construction of three bridges on three rivers on the 20-km-long Kalapara-Kuakata road, which is also a part of Kuakata-Dhaka road. The initiative received wide acclaim from all quarters as these bridges are set to make the visit to Kuakata tourist spot easier and hassle free. Of the three under construction bridges, Sheikh Russel Bridge, named after the youngest son of Bangabandhu, is over the Shibbaria River at Alipur-Mohipur point. Two construction firms, TSL and REB, got the contract to jointly build the 408.36 metres long and 10.25 meters wide bridge at a cost of Tk 24.83 crore. A 400-metre approach road would also be built under the project. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formally inaugurated the construction work of the bridges on February 25 this year. The two other under construction bridges on the same road are also named after the two other sons of Bangabandhu -- Sheikh Kamal and Sheikh Jamal. Sheikh Russel Bridge, the smallest of the three bridges, might take a long time as the authorities are yet to ensure its approach road by acquiring the land. The owners of business establishments near the site also have not removed their setup due to non-payment of acquisition money. Kamolendu Majumder, executive engineer at Roads & Highways Department in Patuakhali said that the problem of land acquisition in Alipur side would be resolved very soon. However, a, few local ruling party leaders of Alipur alleged that negligence of the supervising authorities and construction firms is the main reason behind the delay.
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