The long-awaited girder bridge over the Bhadra River in Dakope upazila of Khulna has finally become a reality, bringing relief to residents on both sides of the river.
Construction of the 661.69-metre bridge near Shingjora Government Primary School and Kalinagar Bazar has been completed, along with its approach road. Although the bridge is yet to be formally inaugurated, vehicles have already started using it.
Built at a total cost of Tk50.75 crore, the bridge connects Polders 32 and 33, establishing direct road communication among seven unions and with Dakope upazila headquarters and Mongla port. It is expected to directly benefit around 350,000 people.
The bridge is also expected to improve connectivity between Mongla port and neighboring Paikgachha and Koyra upazilas, while facilitating the transportation of agricultural produce and other goods.
Dakope is made up of three separate islands, known as Polders 31, 32 and 33. Because of the area’s geography, residents have long relied on ferries and engine-powered boats to travel between the islands.
The bridge connects Kamarkhola and Sutarkhali unions on the western side with Dakope, Laudob, Kailashganj, Bajua and Banishanta unions on the eastern side.
Residents said the lack of a bridge had long disrupted trade, education and access to healthcare. Students from villages on the eastern bank had to cross the river by ferry to attend school, while critically ill patients often faced difficulties reaching hospitals.
Local traders said the bridge would reduce transportation costs and make it easier to take poultry, vegetables and other agricultural products to markets, potentially boosting local businesses and farm incomes.
The project was first tendered in fiscal 2016-17, with PTSEL Maitri (Pvt) Ltd receiving the contract at an estimated cost of Tk37.43 crore. Construction began on August 15, 2016, and was scheduled for completion by February 14, 2018.
However, the contractor failed to complete the work despite several extensions, prompting the authorities to cancel the contract.
Following a fresh tender in fiscal 2019-20, Messrs Kohinoor Enterprise was appointed to complete the unfinished work. Its contract was also cancelled after the company failed to meet the deadline.
The remaining work was later awarded to MBEL-AEC-KE (JV) at an estimated cost of Tk13.32 crore. The total construction cost eventually rose to Tk50.75 crore.
The bridge, including its extension, is 7.3 metres wide, while the approach viaduct measures 140.16 metres. The project was jointly funded by the Bangladesh government and the World Bank under an LGED program for important and rural bridges.
Contractor Jahirul Islam Jamal Khan said the extension of the main girder bridge and the approach road had been completed. “The authorities can inaugurate the bridge at any time,” he said.
LGED Khulna Executive Engineer Md Kamrul Islam Sardar said the bridge would significantly improve connectivity for people in Dakope, Paikgachha and Koyra and contribute to agricultural marketing and the overall development of the area.
