UNB, Khulna :
The under-construction bridge over the Moyur River at Gollamari in Khulna will be apparently a big hurdle for the vessels plying this waterway.
The Roads and Highways Department is constructing the bridge, keeping its girder only 4/5 feet above the river surface.
Consequently, when the water level will rise during monsoon or for any other reason, it will be almost impossible for a vessel to move under the bridge.
Civic leaders and Khulna City Corporation authorities expressed worry over the bridge being constructed at so less height.
According to them, there will be of no use to implement the mega project taken up to give the river a new lease of life.
The project works mainly include dredging of the river and raising its embankment.
Plan has also been taken to turn the river into a reservoir of sweet water, to be supplied to the city dwellers, and to set up a park on its bank.
There will be arrangement for running paddle cars and speed boats on the river from the park.
So the civic leaders think if the waterway is blocked through the faulty contraction of the bridge, the river, which once used to flow in a full stream, would turn into a dead canal.
Authorities concerned with the project said Khulna City Corporation (KCC) has taken the massive scheme to save the river already in a morbid state for grabbing and pollution following movement of the civic bodies.
The dredging work of the river at a cost of Tk6 crore under the City Development Project is already underway.
Sources at the Roads and Highways Department said they are constructing the new bridge at Gallamari involving Tk 6.90 crore as the old one beside has become unfit for use.
The construction work of the bridge began on October 6, 2013.
Now the construction work of its girder is continuing.
During a recent visit, this correspondent found that iron deck was being made for the girder 4/5 feet above the river surface.
After the girder is placed, there will be so little place for a vessel to ply under the bridge.
Mostafa Munshi, sub-assistant engineer of the Roads and Highways Department, said the height of the girder will be 2.6 metres.
He also claimed that there would be six feet open space under the girder for a vessel to move.
Besides, the river has been turned into a reservoir through building two sluice gates on its banks.
That is why, there is no need for movement of big vessels on the river, he added.
Abir-ul-Jabbar, chief planning officer of KCC, said before starting construction of the bridge, the officials concerned did not contact them.
If they block the river way permanently through the construction of the bridge this way, the project taken by the KCC will yield no result, he added.
KCC Chief Engineer Mohammad Nazmul Islam said they will send a letter to the Roads and Highways Department soon asking them to immediately stop the suicidal bridge work.
The under-construction bridge over the Moyur River at Gollamari in Khulna will be apparently a big hurdle for the vessels plying this waterway.
The Roads and Highways Department is constructing the bridge, keeping its girder only 4/5 feet above the river surface.
Consequently, when the water level will rise during monsoon or for any other reason, it will be almost impossible for a vessel to move under the bridge.
Civic leaders and Khulna City Corporation authorities expressed worry over the bridge being constructed at so less height.
According to them, there will be of no use to implement the mega project taken up to give the river a new lease of life.
The project works mainly include dredging of the river and raising its embankment.
Plan has also been taken to turn the river into a reservoir of sweet water, to be supplied to the city dwellers, and to set up a park on its bank.
There will be arrangement for running paddle cars and speed boats on the river from the park.
So the civic leaders think if the waterway is blocked through the faulty contraction of the bridge, the river, which once used to flow in a full stream, would turn into a dead canal.
Authorities concerned with the project said Khulna City Corporation (KCC) has taken the massive scheme to save the river already in a morbid state for grabbing and pollution following movement of the civic bodies.
The dredging work of the river at a cost of Tk6 crore under the City Development Project is already underway.
Sources at the Roads and Highways Department said they are constructing the new bridge at Gallamari involving Tk 6.90 crore as the old one beside has become unfit for use.
The construction work of the bridge began on October 6, 2013.
Now the construction work of its girder is continuing.
During a recent visit, this correspondent found that iron deck was being made for the girder 4/5 feet above the river surface.
After the girder is placed, there will be so little place for a vessel to ply under the bridge.
Mostafa Munshi, sub-assistant engineer of the Roads and Highways Department, said the height of the girder will be 2.6 metres.
He also claimed that there would be six feet open space under the girder for a vessel to move.
Besides, the river has been turned into a reservoir through building two sluice gates on its banks.
That is why, there is no need for movement of big vessels on the river, he added.
Abir-ul-Jabbar, chief planning officer of KCC, said before starting construction of the bridge, the officials concerned did not contact them.
If they block the river way permanently through the construction of the bridge this way, the project taken by the KCC will yield no result, he added.
KCC Chief Engineer Mohammad Nazmul Islam said they will send a letter to the Roads and Highways Department soon asking them to immediately stop the suicidal bridge work.
