United News of Bangladesh

After nearly eight years of delays, design changes and repeated extensions, construction of the much-awaited Barui Para Bridge over the Nabaganga River in Kalia upazila is finally nearing completion. Around 95 percent of the project has already been completed and  workers now focusing on the remaining concrete work, approach roads and finishing touches. The Roads and Highways Department (RHD) expects the bridge to be ready for inauguration in October, officials said. The bridge is part of the Narail-Kalia regional highway and is expected to establish direct road connectivity between Narail Sadar and Kalia upazilas, easing the longstanding transport woes of more than three lakh people living on both sides of the river. For decades, residents have had to rely on ferries, take lengthy detours and spend additional time and money transporting people and agricultural produce. The project was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) in fiscal 2017-18. A work order was issued on April 18, 2018, at an estimated cost of Tk 65.03 crore, with the project scheduled for completion by June 30, 2019. But the deadline was extended seven times amid design changes, technical complications and repeated damage to a construction pier after being hit by bulkheads carrying sand. The design was subsequently revised to ensure safe navigation on the river and a steel arch span incorporated into the bridge. The repeated changes and delays pushed the project cost up to Tk 135.92 crore. The 651.83-metre-long and 10.25-metre-wide bridge has now seen most of its major structural work completed, including the steel span. According to project officials, one of the major challenges during construction was repeated collisions involving pier No. 9 and sand-laden bulkheads. The subsequent design revision was aimed at allowing vessels to pass safely beneath the bridge.