Locals in Bakerganj upazila of Barisal have for one and a half years been climbing 20 feet tall wooden ladders to get on a bridge that cost the authorities Tk3.79 crore to build, as it has no approach roads.
The bridge over the canal adjacent to Hanua Bazar was constructed in 2021.
Local residents cross the bridge daily with great difficulty and it often results in accidents.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the bridge, under the supervision of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), was supposed to be completed by December 19 of the 2018-2019 fiscal year.
However, the contractor, Nasir Majhi, started work in July 2019. The casting of the bridge and upper railing was completed by April 2021.
A year and a half have gone by and the contractor has not taken any initiatives to build the approach roads, leaving it almost useless.
People suffer while going to markets, educational institutions, health centres, the local launch ghat and bus stand situated on either side of the bridge.
Students and the elderly especially face accidents while climbing 20 feet high wooden ladders on either side to cross the bridge.
Meanwhile, officials of the local LGED showed no concern even after receiving complaints.
More allocations have been sought for constructing the approach roads, said Upazila Engineer Abul Khair.
“The construction of the approach roads will start once the allocation is received,” he said.
