S A Shofiee , Sylhet :
A bridge over wetland in Beanibazar upazila in Sylhet could not be opened to traffic during the last two years for lack of approach road on either side due to a case over land acquisition.
Construction of the 700-foot approach road on both sides of the bridge has remained stalled due to a case filed by the land owners, said Upazila Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Mohammed Hiron.
He said the disaster management ministry built the bridge at Purushpal village during the 2014-2015 fiscal year under the rural bridge construction programme at a cost of Tk 24 lakh.
Earlier, Tk 3 lakh was allocated for landfill twice that was returned as the owners were reluctant to hand over the land, Hiron said.
The bridge on Shikpur road close to Sylhet-Beanibazar road brings no benefits to the villagers as it does not have connecting roads, locals told this correspondent.
They said they have to wade across the canal or walk two or three kilometres more to get to their destinations. This makes it difficult for students to go to their institutions, especially during the rainy season.
Several students got injured while using the Shikpur road, said retired government official Abdul Hamid, asking the authorities concerned to take immediate steps to link the bridge with the road. ÒWhy did the authorities construct the bridge before making the approach road? he asked.
Abdul Alim said about five thousand villagers would be benefited when the approach roads are built.
Trader Md Mohibur Rahman said there are two big markets on both sides of the bridge, which are inaccessible to traders as this bridge cannot be used.
The much-expected bridge was supposed to ease communication for them, but in reality the bridge without road is of no use to them, locals said with a note of frustration.
Hiron said the case has been settled mutually. They will start making an approach on either side of the bridge after the floodwater recedes, he added.
A bridge over wetland in Beanibazar upazila in Sylhet could not be opened to traffic during the last two years for lack of approach road on either side due to a case over land acquisition.
Construction of the 700-foot approach road on both sides of the bridge has remained stalled due to a case filed by the land owners, said Upazila Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Mohammed Hiron.
He said the disaster management ministry built the bridge at Purushpal village during the 2014-2015 fiscal year under the rural bridge construction programme at a cost of Tk 24 lakh.
Earlier, Tk 3 lakh was allocated for landfill twice that was returned as the owners were reluctant to hand over the land, Hiron said.
The bridge on Shikpur road close to Sylhet-Beanibazar road brings no benefits to the villagers as it does not have connecting roads, locals told this correspondent.
They said they have to wade across the canal or walk two or three kilometres more to get to their destinations. This makes it difficult for students to go to their institutions, especially during the rainy season.
Several students got injured while using the Shikpur road, said retired government official Abdul Hamid, asking the authorities concerned to take immediate steps to link the bridge with the road. ÒWhy did the authorities construct the bridge before making the approach road? he asked.
Abdul Alim said about five thousand villagers would be benefited when the approach roads are built.
Trader Md Mohibur Rahman said there are two big markets on both sides of the bridge, which are inaccessible to traders as this bridge cannot be used.
The much-expected bridge was supposed to ease communication for them, but in reality the bridge without road is of no use to them, locals said with a note of frustration.
Hiron said the case has been settled mutually. They will start making an approach on either side of the bridge after the floodwater recedes, he added.
