A bridge in Pirganj to benefit 400,000 people

The construction of a 294-metre bridge is progressing fast at Jayontipur River Ghat point on the Kartoa river in Pirganj upazila in Rangpur to benefit over four 400,000 people of Pirganj and Nababganj upazilas.

“The Local Government and Engineering Department (LGED) is implementing the construction work of the bridge at Tk29.49 crore under its ‘Construction of important bridges on rural roads project’,” said LGED’s Pirganj Upazila Engineer Majibar Rahman.

On commissioning of the bridge with 9.8metre width, seven spans on 80 piles and two abatements, a revolutionary change will happen in communication networks between Pirganj upazila of Rangpur and nearby Nababganj upazila of Dinajpur.

“Erection of 58 piles and casting of basements of three pillars of the bridge have already been completed,” Engineer Rahman said adding that 387metre approach road in Pirganj side and 450metre approach road in Nababganj side will also be constructed.

Four companies have been conducting the construction of the bridge as contractors at Jayontipur River Ghat point in Tukuria union of Pirganj upazila to launch direct road communication with Nababganj upazila.

Tukuria Union Chairman Ataur Rahman Mandal said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina committed to construct the bridge at Jayontipur Ghat point at a public rally held at Taraf Mouza High School ground on December 31, 2013.

“As per her commitment, the LGED began construction of the bridge from June 4 2018 to fulfill a long-cherished demand of the people of these two neighbouring upazilas,” he said.

After completion of the construction of bridge, road communication networks between the two upazilas will be easier relieving over 400,00 people from their decades-old sufferings, Ataur Rahman said.

“Farmers will also be able to transport their produces and get fair price and local trade, business, and commerce will flourish in these upazilas creating employments to improve living standard of local people,” he added.

Youths Nur Islam and Abdur Rahim of Mirjapur village and Akbar Ali of Holaijana village in Nababganj upazila of Dinajpur said they have been suffering for a long time for want of a bridge on the Kartoa river while crossing it only by boats with life risks.

Farmer Shamim, fisherman Anonta Sarker, trader Feroz Ahmed and students Priyanka and Manisha Rani of different villages in Pirganj upazila said construction of the bridge will usher in a new era in communication networks reliving them from sufferings.

Thanking the prime minister for construction of the bridge, they said they would be able to easily move from one upazila to another to meet relatives, go to educational institutions, hats and bazaars after commissioning of the bridge.

Executive Engineer of LGED for Rangpur Engineer Reazul Haque said construction of the bridge at Jayontipur River Ghat began on June 4 last year to complete the process within 915 days by December 6 in 2020 next.

“Construction of the bridge is progressing fast and we hope to complete the process well ahead of the scheduled time to commission it for movement of people and vehicles in the beginning of next year,” the engineer added.