Despite laying the foundation stone three years ago, the construction of a bridge on a local river linking popular Miarhat and Barchakathi bazars under Swarupkathi upazila of the district has yet to begin.
A total of 10,000 people have long been facing difficulties to cross the Inderhat River in absence of the bridge as a result.
While visiting, the correspondent found that Miarhat bazar is belonged to Sutiakathi union while Barchakathi under Sohagdal union. The bridge, which 72 metre in length and 7.3 in width, will work as linking bridge for the bazars.
The local bazars attract large groups of buyers and sellers from both the unions on Monday and Thursday each week.
Sources at Pirojpur Local Government and Engineering Department (LGED) said a total of four tenders have been flouted for the bridge until 2012 end.
On June 4, 2011, the then local MP Shah Alam and LGED chief engineer Wahidur Rahman set the foundation stone of the bridge, at an estimated cost of Tk9 crore and later a tender was announced.
Naim, a resident of the upazila, said especially about 3,000 dwellers of Barchakathi village would be benefited from the bridge and it would be less time consuming to reach the Miarhat bazar as well.
Asaduzzaman, a businessman of Miarhat bazar, said about five thousand people cross the river daily and they have to face untold suffering particularly during the rainy season.
Mahbubur Rahman, general secretary of Miarhat bazar traders' association, echoed the Asaduzzaman’s opinion.
Contacted, Pirojpur LGED Executive Engineer Md Rafiqul Islam said no contractor expressed interest in the bridge construction despite flouting tender for several times.
“We are trying best to end the task as early as possible by issuing another fresh tender,” the engineer continued.
When he was asked why the foundation stone of the bridge was placed, he declined to make any remarks in this regard.
