The deadlines for constructing three footbridges near the capital’s Kuril flyover have been missed for the second time, reportedly because of a misunderstanding between Rajuk and the contractor of the project.
The construction work, which was scheduled to be completed by this month, has been stalled allegedly because of indifference from both the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) and the contractor Project Builders.
The under-construction footbridges include a 40m long bridge near the Bishwa Road intersection on the Airport Road, and two more bridges of 39m and 19m length on the Pragati Sarani adjoining the Kuril flyover.
Abdul Baki Mian, project director of Rajuk, told the Dhaka Tribune: “I do not know why the contractor has stopped the construction work. We have repeatedly sent letters to the contractor and also held meetings, but with no results.
“They [contractor] have received all types of facilities and help from Rajuk, and also got money whenever they submitted bill,” he added.
Baki said he did not know when the footbridges would be completed and that the contractor would be able to say the estimated completion date.
Answering to a query about price adjustment, the Rajuk official said: “Although the contractor firm has delayed the construction, no extra cost will be given as price adjustment.”
However, when contacted, Rafiqul Alam, project director of Project Builders, shifted the responsibility on the Rajuk authorities, saying they would be able to comment on the progress and the next steps for the footbridge projects.
Rafiqul also declined to answer why the construction work had stopped and referred to Rajuk for further queries surrounding the project.
Meanwhile, the delay in constructing the footbridges is forcing pedestrians to risk their lives while crossing the Airport Road, which is one of the busiest thoroughfares in the capital.
Ataur Rahman, a resident of Kuratoli in Kuril, said: “We cross the busy road with fear. Vehicles run on the road at a high speed.
“The authority concerned started the construction of the footbridge two years ago but is yet to complete it,” he said.
Rehana Akhter, who lives near Pragati Sarani, said women, children and elderly people faced difficulties in crossing the road as there was a large volume of traffic on the road.
The construction of the footbridges falls under the Tk3.03bn Kuril Flyover Project, which was financed by Rajuk in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Public Works. Project Builders and China Major Bridge Engineering jointly built the 8.9m wide and 14.6m high flyover.
At the inauguration ceremony of Kuril flyover last August, Rajuk Chairman Nurul Huda said the incomplete work of three footbridges would be finished within December 2013. However, no progress was made despite stretching the deadline to March this year.
On a recent visit to the area, only pillars and stairs were found constructed on both sides of the flyovers, while there was also no sign of ongoing construction work.